BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Runnin' Bulldogs Softball Head Coach Bailey Wigness announced the additions of Chase Cassady and Tyler O'Dell the softball coaching staff on Thursday afternoon.
 
Chase Cassady spent the last two seasons serving as the volunteer coach at Liberty University where she worked primarily with the pitching staff.
 
Prior to coaching Cassady spent four years playing for the Liberty Flames as a starting pitcher. Cassady was a key contributor to the Flames' pitching success during her time at Liberty, receiving a 2018 Big South All-Conference second team selection, and improving her ERA each season.  Cassady was also named 2019 MVP of the National Invitational Softball Championship, and she finished her career nationally ranked in the ASUN with a Top 25 with an overall ERA of 1.25.
 
"We are so lucky to have Chase here working with our pitchers and catchers," said Head Coach Bailey Wigness. "Chase has played and coached at Liberty, a top mid major school, and has seen what it takes to be successful on a national level, which is what we are trying to accomplish at Gardner-Webb. She will take our pitching staff to another level, and I couldn't be happier to have her on board."
 
Cassady is an Orlando, Fla. native, where she was a two time All-State honoree. In 2015 she was named as Boone High School's Female Athlete of the Year. Cassady' s primary role is to oversee the pitching staff, and she will also be involved with catching as well as recruiting.
 
Tyler O'Dell was the assistant softball coach at Independence Community College (ICC) in Independence, Kan. during the 2020-21 season, where the Pirates finished with their first winning record in the past seven years. O'Dell served as the hitting coach and outfielder's coach. Under his tutelage, the Pirates offense recorded its highest totals in home runs (36), batting average (0.311), doubles (74), triples (6), RBIs (212), OBP (0.374), and slugging percentage (0.467) since 2014. The pitching staff also recorded their lowest ERA since 2016 (4.76).
 
"Tyler will be a huge asset with the skills that he brings to our coaching staff," said Head Coach Bailey Wigness. "He is a great recruiter and his ties to the area will be tremendous for us. I am excited to see the offensive strides our team will take after working with O'Dell. I'm thrilled to have him be part of the Gardner-Webb Softball program."
 
Before ICC, O'Dell served as the volunteer assistant coach during the shortened 2019-20 season at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. He worked primarily with the outfielders, assisted with the development of the App State offense, worked with pitchers during bullpen sessions, and led volunteer practice times with infielders.
 
While earning his undergraduate degree at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., O'Dell also served as a student-manager for the Chanticleers softball program for two years.
 
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