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Softball Coaching Staff
Leah Francis
Head Coach
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Coach Francis is in her fifth year as Head Softball Coach at Bellevue College. During her first four seasons as Head Coach, Leah led her team to four straight NWAACC Championship Tournament appearances, division titles in 2008, 2006 and 2005 (the first region titles in school history) and a second place finish in 2007. Each year at the helm, Coach Francis’ teams posted impressive records and over the four years her teams are a combined 148-40 (a .787 winning percentage). During the 2008 season, BCC spent the entire year ranked in the NWAACC Coaches’ Poll and in 2006, the team had the highest ranking in school history; finishing the regular season ranked fourth. Coach Francis and the staff won the 2008 and 2005 North Region 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 and the region player of the year selection in 2008, seven first team and one second team selection in 2007, five first team, two second team, and the region 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-Americans in school history; Erica Addison, Dawn Norcross and Korri Heidemann, winners of the award in 2008 and Caitlin Storkson, who won the award in both 2006 and 2005. Coach Francis is geared up for her fifth season and looks forward to the challenges ahead.
Prior to coming to Bellevue, 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 third place finish at the 3A State Championships. Four players from her roster that year went on to earn softball scholarships at NCAA Division I 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.
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 third 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, WA and was a 4-sport standout athlete in soccer, basketball, softball and a two-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 Bellevue, 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 College, Coach Hyatt came to Bellevue after playing for four years at the University of Washington. Sarah will assist in all other aspects of the game. During her first two seasons, Coach Hyatt helped guide the Bulldogs to first and second place finishes in 2008 and 2007 and two NWAACC Championship appearances.
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 fifth and seventh in the nation respectively. Sarah finished her career ranked fourth all-time on the UW career list in homeruns and seventh all time in RBI’s. Coach Hyatt received four All-Pac-10 awards and two All-Region awards during her career. While an athlete at UW, Coach Hyatt also participated as a camp counselor and clinician.
A tremendous player in both highschool and summer ball, Sarah 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 four straight league titles and a third 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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Meghan Johnson
Assistant Coach
Coach Johnson joins the Bellevue softball staff for her first season. Coach Johnson returns to her alma matter after coaching Franklin High school for one season in 2008. As Head Coach at Franklin HS, Meghan helped coach all aspects of the game and will continue to help with all phases at Bellevue.
Prior to coaching at Franklin HS, Meghan was a member of the Bulldog softball program in 2006 and 2007. During her time at Bellevue, Meghan was a two-year starting catcher and a first team all-league selection in 2006. Meghan played an integral part of the softball teams that won a division title in 2006 and placed second in the league in 2007. A team leader as a player, Meghan’s understanding of the softball program will provide a tremendous benefit in her transition onto the softball staff.
Coach Johnson graduated from Holy Names High School, received her Assocites of Arts degree at Bellevue and is currently working on pursuing her bachelor’s degree.
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