SOFTBALL

Huntington University athletic director Lori Culler has announced the hiring of Erin Rethlake as the next Forester softball coach. Rethlake is the program’s 12th head coach.

“We’re ecstatic to have Erin join our Forester family as our new head softball coach,” said Culler. “Her experience playing at the University of Kentucky has given her a perspective on what it takes to run a high-caliber program.

“She has also established great connections for recruiting top notch athletes to the program through her coaching opportunities with the Indiana Shock travel softball program. We believe the future of Forester softball is bright and look forward to Erin bringing her vision for the program to fruition.”

Rethlake brings several years of coaching experience to the position which includes most recently serving as an assistant coach at Indiana Tech. She is also well established in the travel softball circuit having been a coach for Indiana Shock since 2018.

In addition to putting her coaching experience to good use, Rethlake’s success as a player at Huntington North and the University of Kentucky will also serve her well as HU’s next skipper.

The Huntington native graduated from HNHS as one of the most decorated softball players in program history. In her final campaign, Rethlake was named Miss Indiana Softball for her dominance in the circle where she accumulated a 13-2 record which included a 0.80 ERA and 138 strikeouts.

Over the course of her prep career, Rethlake’s resume also includes securing a pair of First Team All-Conference and All-State badges and collecting four sectional titles, four regional titles, a semi-state title and a state runner-up title.

As a junior, the HNHS standout posted a 23-1 record and a 0.18 ERA in the circle, compiling 317 strikeouts against just 23 walks. She added a .486 batting average with 14 homeruns and 36 RBI and for her efforts was named the Gatorade Indiana Softball Player of the Year.

As a pitcher, first baseman and outfielder for the Wildcats, Rethlake was tabbed her team’s Freshman of the Year and went on to earn Defensive Player of the Year accolades as a junior and senior. As a LHP, she wrapped up her time in blue and white with 26 wins to her name, a 2.68 ERA and 216 strikeouts while giving up 218 hits and 104 earned runs. Offensively, she finished her career with 106 hits, 35 RBI and 38 stolen bases.

“I am beyond excited and feeling extremely blessed to be a part of such a prestigious university and program,” said Rethlake. “I am very much looking forward to working with the girls, staff and the entire university.”

Rethlake inherits a Forester squad that went 25-29 last season which included a 14-20 record in Crossroads League action for the seventh spot in the conference regular season standings.