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Softball Coaching Staff
Leah Francis
Head Coach
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Coach Francis is in her fourth year as Head Softball Coach at Bellevue Community College. During her first three seasons as Head Coach, Leah led her team to three straight NWAACC Championship Tournament appearances, a second place league finish in 2007 and to back-to-back division titles (the first division titles in school history) in 2006 and 2005. Each year at the helm, Coach Francis’s teams posted impressive records going 38-12 in 2007, 38-9 in 2006 and 30-13 in 2005. During the 2007 season, BCC spent the entire year ranked and in 2006, the BCC softball team had the highest ranking in school history; finishing the regular season ranked 4th in the NWAACC coaches poll. Coach Francis and the BCC staff won the 2005 North Division Coach of the Year Honors as well as being voted the 2005 NWAACC NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year – an honor bestowed on the top coaching staffs in the nation.
During her three years at the helm of the program, Coach Francis has coached a number of all-league players including having seven first team and one second team selection in 2007, five first team, two second team, and the pitcher of the year selections in 2006 and three first team and two second team selections in 2005. Leah also coached the only NWAACC All-American in BCC history, Caitlin Storkson, who won the award in both 2006 and 2005. Coach Francis is geared up for her third season at BCC and looks forward to the challenges ahead.
Prior to coming to BCC, Coach Francis was the head coach at Sedro-Woolley High School where she guided her team to a 28-1-1 record including league and district championships and a 3rd place finish at the 3A State Championships. Four players from her roster that year went on to earn softball scholarships at Division 1 programs.
Prior to coaching at Sedro-Woolley, Coach Francis was the head softball coach for the Washington Sidewinders and the Washington Ladyhawks; two elite summer ball programs in the state. Coach Francis began her coaching career at Seattle University, where she was the assistant softball coach from 1999-2002 and coached a number of all-league players.
Prior to coaching, Coach Francis attended the University of Washington where she played on the softball team from 1995-1999 and was a member of the 1996 Pac-10 Championship team and the 1996 national runner-up team. Leah also competed in the College World Series in 1997 and 1998, where her team placed 3rd both years. As a senior, Leah was the captain of her team and as a sophomore, junior and senior, was on the Pac-10 All-Academic Team.
Coach Francis earned an undergraduate degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Washington and a masters degree in Physical Education/Athletic Administration from Seattle Pacific University. A Washington Native, Coach Francis attended North Mason High School in Belfair, Washington and was a 4-sport standout athlete in soccer, basketball, softball and a 2-time state champion in the javelin. In 2004, Coach Francis was inducted into the Kitsap County Sports Hall of Fame for her success in high school and college.
Along with her duties at BCC, Coach Francis also works as the Director of Finance and Operations for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, who oversee high school sports in the state.
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Sarah Hyatt
Assistant Coach
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A second year assistant softball coach at Bellevue Community College, Coach Hyatt came to BCC after playing for four years at the University of Washington. Sarah works with the pitchers and helps with the infield and hitting and will assist in all other aspects of the game. During her first season, Coach Hyatt helped guide BCC to a 38-12 record and the best finish at the NWAACC Championships in school history.
A graduate of the University of Washington Softball program (2003-2006), Sarah was the starting first baseman and one of the most prolific power hitters in school history. Coach Hyatt helped guide her team to Regional appearances all four years as well as Super Regional appearances in 2005 and 2006. Sarah participated in two Women's College World Series in 2003 and 2004 in which the Huskies placed 5th and 7th in the nation respectively. Sarah finished her career ranked 4th all time on the UW career list in homeruns and 7th all time in RBI’s. Coach Hyatt received four All-Pac-10 awards and 2 All-Region awards during her career. While an athlete at UW, Coach Hyatt also participated as a camp counselor and clinician.
A teammate of Coach Baird’s in both high school and summer ball, Sarah also played for Eve Gaw and the Washington LadyHawks, one of the premier summer ball teams in the nation. At Sedro-Woolley High School, Sarah, helping guide her team to 4 straight league titles and a 3rd place finish at the state tournament her senior year; earning all-conference honors all four years and Skagit Valley Female Athlete of the Year honors her senior season.
Coach Hyatt received her Economics degree from the University of Washington and studied accounting at Central Washington University. Sarah is currently working in accounting for the Dana F. Besecker Company.
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Danielle Baird
Assistant Coach
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Coach Baird is in her second year as the assistant softball coach at Bellevue Community College. Danielle comes to BCC after playing for the University of Oregon. Coach Baird will oversee the outfield and will assist in all other aspects of the game. As a graduate of a major NCAA Division 1 softball program, Danielle brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the coaching staff at BCC. During her first season, Coach Hyatt helped guide BCC to a 38-12 record and the best finish at the NWAACC Championships in school history.
As a participant on the University of Oregon Softball team from 2003-2006, Coach Baird played in one of the nations toughest conferences, the Pac-10, and played with and against the best players in the country. Danielle helped her team earn a berth to the NCAA Regional Tournament in 2003, 2004 and 2005. During her time at U.O., Danielle was named 1st Team Pac-10 All-Academic in 2004, 2005 and 2006 as well as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete all three years. In 2006, Danielle was voted to the Pac-10 Honorable Mention Team. While an athlete at UO, Coach Baird also participated as a camp counselor and clinician.
Prior to college, Coach Baird played for Eve Gaw and the Washington LadyHawks, one of the premier summer ball teams in the nation. A native of Washington, Danielle grew up in the Skagit Valley and played high school ball at Sedro-Woolley High School helping guide her team to 4 straight league titles and a 3rd place finish at the state tournament her senior year; earning all-conference honors all four seasons.
Coach Baird received her degree in Political Science at the University of Oregon, is currently a licensed real estate agent in Skagit Valley and is working toward becoming a certified trainer.
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