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Softball Coaching Staff
Leah Francis
Head Coach
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Coach Francis is in her eighth year as Head Softball Coach at Bellevue College. During her first seven seasons as Head Coach, Leah led her team to seven straight NWAACC Championship Tournament appearances, division titles in 2011, 2009, 2008, 2006 and 2005 (the first region titles in school history) and a second place finish in 2010 and 2007. Each year at the helm, Francis’ teams posted impressive records and over the seven years her teams are a combined 248-66 (a .789 winning percentage). During the 2011 season, Bellevue spent much of the year ranked #1 in the NWAACC Coaches' Poll. Coach Francis won the 2011, 2009, 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 first seven years Francis has led a number of all-league players including having 42 first-teamers. Her players have also won the Region Player or Pitcher of the Year awards in all but two years.
Leah also coached all nine of the NWAACC All-Americans in Bellevue history, including three in 2011: Tobey Varney, Kristen Allen, and Rogin Hardy. Others inlcude 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.
Prior to coming to Bellevue, 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 Coach for the Washington Sidewinders and the Washington Ladyhawks; two elite summer ball programs in the state. 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.
Francis earned an undergraduate degree in business and accounting from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in physical education/athletic administration from Seattle Pacific University. A Washington native, Coach Francis attended North Mason High School in Belfair and was a four-sport standout athlete in soccer, basketball, softball and track 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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Rita Roach
Assistant Coach
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Coach Roach is in her second stint as assistant coach at Bellevue College. Rita was a member of Coach Francis’ first coaching staff when they took over the program in 2005. Roach helped guide the team to their first North Division titles in 2005 and 2006. An integral part of Francis’s first staff at Bellevue College, Rita was also named with Leah as the 2005 NWAACC NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year – an honor bestowed on the top coaching staffs in the nation. After taking a few years off to pursue her career and travel, Rita is back for her fifth season at Bellevue. Rita will continue to work with outfielders and slappers and will assist in all areas of the game.
A graduate of the University of Washington softball program (2001-2004), Rita was the starting centerfielder and one of the most prolific slap hitters in school history. Roach helped guide her team to regional appearances all four years and participated in two College World Series in 2003 and 2004, in which the Huskies placed fifth and seventh in the nation respectively. As a sophomore, Rita was named Second Team All-Pac 10 and won the Husky Gold Glove Award.
A tremendous softball player in both high school and summer ball, Rita played for the prestigious summer ball team, Gary Hanning’s Batbusters. Roach was a two-time summer ball All-American and her Batbusters team won the 2000 ASA 18-and-under Gold National Championship. Rita attended St. Joseph’s High School in Lakewood, CA where she participated in softball and basketball.
Roach received her sociology degree from the University of Washington and is currently working with Coach Francis at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Sarah Hyatt
Assistant Coach
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A sixth year assistant coach at Bellevue College, Coach Hyatt came to Bellevue after playing for four years at the University of Washington. Sarah will assist in all aspects of the game. During her first four seasons, Coach Hyatt helped guide Bellevue to first place finishes in 2009 and 2008 and second place finishes in 2010 and 2007. She also helped guide the program to NWAACC appearances during each of her first five years at Bellevue.
A graduate of the University of Washington Softball program (2003-2006), Sarah was the starting first baseman and is regarded as one of the top 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 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 home runs 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 high school 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, helped guide her team to four straight league titles and a third place finish at the state tournament her senior year. She earned all-conference honors all four years and was named Skagit Valley Female Athlete of the Year following 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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Whitney Whittemore
Assistant Coach
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Coach Whittemore joins the BC softball staff for her second season. Coach Whittemore returns to her alma matter after finishing her playing career at Montana-State Billings. Whitney will help coach all aspects of the game at BC.
Prior to coming to BC as a coach, Whitney was a member of the BC softball program in 2007 and 2008. During her time at BC, Whitney was a two-year starting second baseman and a first team all-league selection in 2008. Whitney played an integral part of the softball team that placed second in the league in 2007 and played a major role in helping the team win the division with a school best 42-6 record in 2008. After BC, Whitney went on to earn a scholarship at Montana-State Billings, where she was a two-year starter at shortstop and named the GNAC Newcomer of the Year in 2009. Whitney’s success at BC and MSU-Billings and her understanding of the BC softball program will provide a tremendous benefit in her transition onto the BC softball staff.
Coach Whittemore graduated from Emerald Ridge High School in 2007 and played for BAM and the Diamond Dusters in summer ball.
Along with coaching, Whitney completed her undergraduate degree in criminal justice from MSU-Billings.
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