Caitlin Nies departed Seattle U following the 2024 season.
Caitlin Nies joined the Seattle University softball coaching staff in the fall of 2016. Nies oversees pitchers and catchers, administrative duties and assists with recruiting.
In 2023, Nies led the second best ERA staff in the WAC with Stefanie Madrigal leading the conference in wins at 19 (37th nationally). Madrigal had a phenomenal WAC Tournament in the circle, claiming WAC All-Tournament honors after finishing with a 3.16 ERA over 31 innings in five appearances (four starts) over four days.
In 2022, Nies guided another top-tier pitching staff with Carley Nance and Stefanie Madrigal both finishing in the top-five of the WAC In ERA. Nance would finish the year as the WAC Player of the Year, an NFCA All-Region Second Team member, All-WAC First Team member and WAC All-Tournament recipient, while Madrigal was named the the All-WAC Second Team. Grace Luderer became just the second Redhawk to earn WAC Freshman of the Year award after posting a Seattle U all-time top-10 strikeout season.
In 2021, Nies worked with the only pitching staff in the NCAA Tournament to feature three all-conference hurlers. Carley Nance, Shi Smith, and Stefanie Madrigal each won 10 games as the Redhawks defended their WAC Tournament crown and advanced back to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season. The trio ranked 1-2-3 in the WAC in ERA, as Smith and Madrigal earned First Team All-WAC honors. Nance was named Second Team All-WAC before dominating the WAC Tournament, winning her second straight WAC Tournament MVP with three pitching wins and three HRs hit.
Nies oversaw the best pitching staff in the WAC as the Redhawks went on a historic run in 2019. SU won its first-ever WAC regular-season and WAC Tournament titles on its way to its first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance. Carley Nance, Andie Larkins, and Shianne Smith all put together terrific campaigns in the circle to help Seattle U win a school-record 40 games. Nance earned NFCA All-Region Second Team, All-WAC First Team, WAC Tournament MVP, and Seattle U Female Athlete of the Year honors after leading the WAC in ERA. Larkins wrapped her stellar career with an All-WAC Second Team selection, going 5-0 in conference play and then throwing an eight-inning shutout of Fordham to earn the victory in SU's first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament win. Smith broke her own school record for strikeouts per seven innings (7.3) and ranked second in the WAC with a .211 opponent batting average. The trio was the only staff in Division I to win at least five conference games apiece.
In 2018, Nies worked with the top pitching staff in the WAC. Andie Larkins, Carley Nance, and Shianne Smith ranked 1-2-3 in the WAC in ERA, while the Redhawks paced the conference in wins (33), ERA (2.98), and strikeouts (288). Larkins was chosen All-WAC First Team and Nance was All-WAC Second Team. Smith set school records in opponent batting average (.210) and strikeouts per seven (6.55). Nance struck out 123 batters, the most in program history.
“Caitlin will be a great role model for our young athletes," said Head Coach Geoff Hirai. "She is loyal, hard-working, and most of all, has a lot of experience help building programs to being winners.“
Nies, formerly Caitlin Noble during her playing career as a Husky, pitched at the University of Washington from 2005-2008. She finished her career anked fourth all-time in strikeouts in program history and was a member of the 2007 team which placed third at the Women’s College World Series.
Nies went on to serve as the pitching coach at Northwestern State University from 2009-2012. In 2010, the Demons had biggest improvement in the NCAA, going from five wins in 2009 to 27 wins in 2010. In 2011, the pitching staff led the Southland Conference in team ERA of 2.11 and pitcher Kelee Grimes was recognized as an All-Conference first team pitcher with a 1.51 ERA.
Most recently, Nies returned to Washington, serving as the head coach at Glacier Peak High School from 2013-2016. In 2014, her team won the Wesco 3A District Tournament and earned the first berth to the State Tournament in school history, finishing 5th place. Nies was voted the 2014 Wesco 3A/4A coach of the year and the 2016 team also finished 5th place in the State Tournament.