Helen Peña Selected To Lead Softball Program

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State University has selected Helen Peña, the associate head coach at Middle Tennessee State University, to lead its softball program, as announced by Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell.

"Throughout our search process, we sought an individual with exceptional coaching ability and who demonstrates intentional efforts to grow human potential while developing a program," Mitchell said. "Helen Peña is the perfect coach for Ball State softball. Her devotion to student-athlete excellence encompasses a charge for our talented student-athletes to improve athletically, scholastically and socially. We are thrilled to have Coach Peña join the Ball State community as we continue to advance our softball program."

Peña, who will become the 11th head coach in program history, was recently named the 2023 Mid-Major Assistant Coach of the Year by Extra Inning Softball after helping guide MTSU to a program record 42 wins in her first and only season in Murfreesboro. The effort included the Blue Raiders' second-ever Conference USA tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final.

"I could not be more grateful for Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell and be more honored to be named Ball State University's new head softball coach," Peña said. "It is invigorating to hear Jeff's vision for the athletic department and his passion for creating an environment that breeds empowerment and competitive excellence. There is a rich history of success that comes with this softball program, and I am eager to build on those foundations. It is an exciting time for Ball State softball, and I cannot wait to get started with this team, this athletic department and this community!"

MTSU earned three wins in regional play, including knocking off host and fifth-seeded Alabama to force a decisive seventh game. While the Crimson Tide won the final contest by a score of 1-0 and eventually advanced to the Women's College World Series, the Blue Raiders' three regional wins were the most by a Conference USA team since 2014.

As Middle Tennessee State's pitching coach, Peña helped her staff rank 35th nationally with a 2.44 ERA. MTSU ranked 175th nationally with a 3.96 team ERA in 2022. In addition, the 2023 Blue Raiders ranked 35th nationally with 12 shutouts, limited opposing batters to a .219 average and struck out 247 total batters. For their play, Gretchen Mead was named to the NFCA All-Region and All-Conference USA second teams, while Kamryn Carcich earned Conference USA All-Tournament Team honors.

"I want to thank Middle Tennessee State University Head Coach Jeff Breeden, the MTSU softball players and support staff for giving me such an amazing experience this past year," Peña added. "I will miss them dearly and cherish those memories."

Prior to joining the Blue Raiders staff, Peña spent five seasons at the University of Memphis, where she helped guide the Tigers to 100 wins. Highlighting the list of pitchers Peña mentored at Memphis was Molly Smith, who finished her career as the program's all-time leader in strikeouts (498), wins (50) and shutouts (19). A 2018 second team All-American Athletic Conference selection, Smith earned 25 wins and registered 220 strikeouts under Peña's tutelage.

Peña also helped Mariah Nichols finish her Memphis career as the program's all-time saves leader, with 10, including a single-season record four as a sophomore in 2019. Nichols also ranked fourth in innings pitched (428.1), sixth in wins (24), sixth in strikeouts (267) and 10th in ERA (3.92) at the end of her Tigers career.

Before joining the Tigers' coaching staff, Peña spent two seasons as an assistant at Menlo College in Atherton, California, helping guide the Oaks to a program record 31 wins in 2017. Her pitching staff finished the same season with a 2.59 ERA, the program's lowest in over 14 years.

After starting her collegiate coaching career at her alma mater, Cal Poly, as a student assistant in 2011 and a volunteer coach in 2012, Peña worked the 2013 and 2014 seasons as an assistant coach at Cal State Bakersfield. While with the 'Runners, she coached Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year Kelsie Monroe and helped lead CSUB to a berth in the 2015 WAC Tournament Championship.

As a student-athlete, Peña helped lead Cal Poly to a pair of Big West Championships over her four-year career, including the program's first-ever title in 2007. She finished the 2007 season with a 1.75 ERA to rank third among all Big West pitchers. A two-time All-Big West honoree, Peña helped the Mustangs break into the top 25 for the first time in program history in 2009, with the squad ranking as high as 21st nationally.

She finished her playing career ranked among the program's all-time leaders in strikeouts (236), victories (28), shutouts (10), saves (2), ERA (2.36), complete games (14) and innings pitched (314.1).

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