(August 8, 2008)--The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor softball coaching staff has been named West Region Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Head coach Kasey Blomquist and assistant coach Denise Lira took West Region honors after leading the Cru to a 35-11 overall record last season. The Cru won the American Southwest Conference West Division with a 24-0 conference record and became the first ASC program to go unbeaten in league play since the ASC went to the expanded schedule. UMHB also advanced to the NCAA Division III National Championships for the first time in school history. The Cru then fell to Louisiana College in the championship game of the U.T.-Tyler Regional.

Blomquist just wrapped up her sixth season as head coach of the UMHB softball program. She has guided the Cru to a 152-87 record during her tenure as has also led UMHB to three West Division titles and six ASC Tournament appearances. Lira just wrapped up her third season as the first full-time assistant coach in the history of the UMHB softball program. The Cru has won a pair of ASC West Division titles and qualified for three ASC Tournaments since Lira joined the UMHB coaching staff.

Wisconsin-Eau Claire's coaching staff took national coaching staff of the year honors after the Blugolds won the national championship this spring. Louisiana College's coaching staff won Atlantic Region coaching staff of the year honors to give the ASC two of the nine national coaching staffs of the year.