SEATTLE — Seasoned collegiate softball coach Tory Yamaguchi has joined the Seattle University staff as an assistant coach, Head Coach Geoff Hirai announced Thursday. Yamaguchi will serve as the Redhawks' pitching coach.
"Coach Yamaguchi brings a wealth of experience to our program," said Hirai. "The work ethic and passion she brings aligns with our culture and we are excited for the impact she will have on our pitchers and program overall."
Yamaguchi arrives at Seattle U after an eight-season tenure at West Coast Conference member University of Pacific where she played a pivotal role in developing the Tigers' pitching and catching staff. Under her guidance, notable achievements included Avery Croxall's remarkable transformation, as she lowered her ERA from 8.74 to 1.83 in just one year. Yamaguchi also led several pitchers to All-WCC honors, including Myka Sutherlin, a first-team selection in 2021 with a 6-2 record and a 1.88 ERA, and Marissa Young, who earned Second-Team All-WCC accolades in 2017 and 2018. Senior catcher Madeline Domingo was also recognized with an honorable mention in 2021.
"I am genuinely excited to join the Redhawk softball program and continue Seattle U's tradition of attracting, developing and winning with such talented student athletes," said Yamaguchi. "A big 'thank you' to Coach Hirai for this opportunity."
Before her time at Pacific, Yamaguchi spent three seasons at Portland State, where she guided multiple all-conference athletes and significantly contributed to the team's success. Her career also includes a successful stint at UConn, where she played a key role in reducing the team's ERA by nearly a full point and improving the strikeout-to-walk ratio over three seasons. Yamaguchi began her coaching career with two seasons as an assistant at Indiana University, her alma mater.
As a student athlete, Yamaguchi was a standout at Indiana, earning four letters as a catcher and setting the career home run record with 40 homers – a mark that still stands. She was honored with All-Big Ten accolades and was a consistent presence on the Academic All-Big Ten Team throughout her collegiate career. Following graduation, Yamaguchi was drafted by the Philadelphia Force and played professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch League in 2008 and 2009.
Yamaguchi holds a bachelor's degree in psychology (2007) and a master's degree in kinesiology (2009) from Indiana University.
"Coach Yamaguchi brings a wealth of experience to our program," said Hirai. "The work ethic and passion she brings aligns with our culture and we are excited for the impact she will have on our pitchers and program overall."
Yamaguchi arrives at Seattle U after an eight-season tenure at West Coast Conference member University of Pacific where she played a pivotal role in developing the Tigers' pitching and catching staff. Under her guidance, notable achievements included Avery Croxall's remarkable transformation, as she lowered her ERA from 8.74 to 1.83 in just one year. Yamaguchi also led several pitchers to All-WCC honors, including Myka Sutherlin, a first-team selection in 2021 with a 6-2 record and a 1.88 ERA, and Marissa Young, who earned Second-Team All-WCC accolades in 2017 and 2018. Senior catcher Madeline Domingo was also recognized with an honorable mention in 2021.
"I am genuinely excited to join the Redhawk softball program and continue Seattle U's tradition of attracting, developing and winning with such talented student athletes," said Yamaguchi. "A big 'thank you' to Coach Hirai for this opportunity."
Before her time at Pacific, Yamaguchi spent three seasons at Portland State, where she guided multiple all-conference athletes and significantly contributed to the team's success. Her career also includes a successful stint at UConn, where she played a key role in reducing the team's ERA by nearly a full point and improving the strikeout-to-walk ratio over three seasons. Yamaguchi began her coaching career with two seasons as an assistant at Indiana University, her alma mater.
As a student athlete, Yamaguchi was a standout at Indiana, earning four letters as a catcher and setting the career home run record with 40 homers – a mark that still stands. She was honored with All-Big Ten accolades and was a consistent presence on the Academic All-Big Ten Team throughout her collegiate career. Following graduation, Yamaguchi was drafted by the Philadelphia Force and played professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch League in 2008 and 2009.
Yamaguchi holds a bachelor's degree in psychology (2007) and a master's degree in kinesiology (2009) from Indiana University.
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