Williamsburg, KY – University of the Cumberlands Head Softball Coach Bailey Dillender has named Alyssa Richards assistant coach for the Patriots softball program.  Richards will be working with the pitcher and catchers at UC and also assist with hitting.
 
"After getting to watch Alyssa play and develop as a player over the past three seasons, I know she'll be an asset to the program," said Dillender. "She will compliment me and we're going to have a strong coaching staff."
 
Richards, an Italy, Texas native, spent the past four years playing at Tennessee Tech University, splitting time between first base and catcher.  The last three seasons there, she was coached by Dillender who was an Assistant Coach for the Golden Eagles.
 
"I'm very excited about this opportunity to begin my coaching career and work with Bailey," said Richards. "Cumberlands won the Mid-South Conference Tournament last season and there is a lot of potential here." 

Over her four-year career at Tennessee Tech, Richards played in 209 games, notching 159 hits, 30 home runs, and 22 doubles. She also recorded 105 RBI's, while posting a .280 career batting average.  In 2015, Richards helped lead the Golden Eagles to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship and was named to the All-Tournament Team.   Richards was also OVC First Team All-Conference during her senior season. 
 
Richards graduated from Tennessee Tech in May 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies with focus in Special Education and Physical Education.
 
The UC softball team went 19-34 last season, but won the MSC Tournament Championship to earn a berth in the NAIA National Tournament.
 
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