Baggetta and Johnson Named Assistant Softball Coaches

Sept. 24, 2010

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IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa Head Softball Coach Marla Looper has announced the hiring of Adrianna Baggetta and Stacy (May) Johnson as assistant coaches.

“We are very excited to have Adrianna and Stacy here at Iowa,” Looper said. “They both bring passion, excitement and knowledge to their respective coaching positions. Both have a wealth of experience as players and coaches. Adrianna and Stacy each know what it takes to be successful at the Division I level.”

Baggetta comes to Iowa after serving on staff at the University of South Carolina for eight seasons (2002-2010). She began her time at South Carolina as a volunteer assistant from 2002-03 before assuming full assistant coach responsibilities in July of 2003. Baggetta was promoted to associate head coach at South Carolina in 2009 and held that position through 2010.

While at South Carolina, Baggetta helped lead the Gamecocks to five NCAA Regional appearances, including a Super Regional berth in 2007. She also coached two academic All-Americans and 42 SEC All-Academic team members.

In her eight years at South Carolina, Baggetta oversaw day-to-day operations of the softball program, including coordinating practice and competition schedules, workouts for the outfielders, catchers and hitters, strength and conditioning and film breakdown. She was also the recruiting coordinator and the camps/clinics coordinator. Baggetta developed South Carolina’s Strike Out Cancer weekend in 2009, which raised over a total of $12,000 for the Susan G. Komen organization during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Baggetta was a member of the South Carolina softball team from 1998-02 and helped lead the Gamecocks to an SEC conference tournament championship in 2000, four-straight NCAA Regional appearances and three SEC Eastern Division titles. The Gamecocks averaged 44 wins per year and were ranked in the Top 25 in each of her four seasons. She was named All-SEC in 2002 and was also chosen for the 2002 All-SEC tournament team. In 2002, she led South Carolina in batting average (.353), home runs (6), slugging percentage (.573) and on-base percentage (.446). She ranks in the career top 10 at South Carolina in home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, walks per game and hit by pitch.

Baggetta graduated from South Carolina in 2002 with a degree in sport and entertainment with a minor in business administration.

“I am extremely excited to come to the University of Iowa,” Baggetta said. “I am thankful to Coach Looper and the rest of the Iowa staff for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to working in an athletic department with a rich tradition and an excellent reputation.”

Johnson (formerly Stacy May), was a four-year letterwinner at Iowa from 2003-06 and enjoyed a successful professional career as a member of the Chicago Bandits in the National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) league from 2006-10.

Johnson was a three-time NFCA All-Mideast Region selection as a Hawkeye. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2003 while leading Iowa to a regular season and conference tournament championship. She was also a three-time All-Big Ten pick. Johnson’s name still appears in 11 different offensive school records lists at Iowa. She finished her career with a .338 batting average, 23 home runs and 109 RBI. Johnson started every game in her four years, collecting 247-straight starts. In 780 career at-bats, Johnson tallied 264 hits and 60 walks to just 38 strikeouts.

Johnson exceled off the field as well, earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America District 7 honors as a junior and senior. She was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

Johnson was Chicago’s first overall pick (fourth pick, second round) in the 2006 NPF Draft. She retired after a five-year career as one of the most decorated players in NPF history. She was named NPF Rookie of the Year in 2006 and NPF League MVP in 2008 and 2010. She was a three-time NPF All-Star (2006, 2008 and 2010) and helped lead the Bandits to the 2008 NPF team championship. The Bandits retired Johnson’s number in 2010 after she announced her retirement from professional softball.

Johnson earned both her Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Iowa in 2007. She went on the University of Louisville where she earned her Masters of Science in Physics in 2009.

Johnson served as a student assistant coach at Iowa in 2007 and a volunteer assistant coach at Louisville from 2008-10.

“I am honored to be back coaching at my alma mater,” Johnson said. “I would like to thank Gary Barta, Paula Jantz and Coach Looper for giving me this great opportunity. I look forward to being back at Pearl Field in one of the best environments in NCAA softball.”