Riverdale, NY – Manhattan Interim Head Coach Cat Clifford has named Lauren Pitney as an Assistant Coach for the upcoming season.

Pitney returns to Riverdale after the spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Springfield College under former Jasper standout Kate Bowen. Last year, she helped guide the Pride to a 9-5 record and a berth in the NEWMAC Championship Series.

A four-year standout for the Jaspers from 2016-2019, Pitney three times earned All-MAAC recognition and was the program's first-ever MAAC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. The Nutmeg State native finished her impressive career with a .320 average with 139 runs, 27 doubles, 29 home runs and 119 RBI, while walking twice as much as she struck out (164-82).

At Manhattan, Pitney will be responsible for the infield while assisting in all aspects of the program including practice planning, travel and recruiting. 

She has also worked with the Select Brakettes U18 elite travel softball team, and as an assistant strength & conditioning coach at NES Sports Performance.

"I am thrilled to add Lauren to our staff," said Clifford. "After having a tremendous career as a student-athlete at Manhattan, we are happy to be able to welcome her home. Lauren has an unbelievable softball mind, is a very talented coach and will make an immediate impact on our program while helping continue the traditions that Manhattan Softball has been built on."

Pitney graduated from Manhattan in 2019 with a degree in exercise science, before earning her master of education in athletic administration from Springfield.