LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville native and recent graduate Kelsie Houchens has been named a graduate assistant/pitching coach on Whiteny Arion's first staff as the Bellarmine softball head coach.

"I'm excited to welcome Kelsie to the staff. I have followed her playing career since she was in high school and was always impressed with her," Arion said. "She's what I call a silent assassin in the circle, she brings an even-keeled presence, fierce competitiveness, and an unrelenting will to win, all while being the kind of great teammate every program wants. I have no doubt those traits will pour over into her coaching career."

Houchens concluded her playing career last fall, leading the team in wins (4), innings pitched (114.0), ERA (4.11), WHIP (1.58) and appearances (26). In just one season with the Knights, she is third in career wins, starts and complete games (8), fourth in career innings pitched and fifth in career strikeouts (31).

"Thank you, Coach Whitney and staff, for welcoming me back! I'm excited for this opportunity to work with these awesome ladies," Houchens said. "I hope to make an impact not only on their softball career but also as they move in life."

Before her time with Bellarmine, Houchens played three seasons at Western Kentucky where she tallied 14 wins in 145.0 innings of work with a 3.48 ERA and 88 strikeouts to 39 walks.

Despite a change at head coach for the Knights, Houchens played under assistant coach Paige Murphy last year.

An immediate return to Bellarmine allows Houchens the opportunity to break into collegiate coaching with a program she is comfortable in and a group of players she is comfortable with.

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