KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jessica Pistole has been named 2021 NAIA Softball National Coach of the Year, announced Friday by the NAIA national office. Pistole led the Raiders to the back-to-back national titles after defeating Oregon Tech 7-5 on June 2^nd in Columbus, Ga.

The Raiders set a program wins record for the fourth consecutive season, finishing the 2021 season 55-6. During the regular season, the Raiders became the first team ever to get through the Cascade Conference schedule with fewer than two losses, going 26-1. And at the NAIA World Series, they became the second team in 20 years to clinch the title by winning five straight elimination games.

This is Coach Pistole's six season at SOU, with a record of 274-88 and has taken the Raiders to four World Series. This is the second year in a row Pistole has won this NAIA national honor.

Southern Oregon ranks in the top ten nationally in 17 different categories. Including No. 1 in 8 categories including runs scored per game (7.93), total doubles (120), total triples (35), and total hits (695). She coached three first team All-America first team honorees Gabby Sandoval, Allie Stines, and 2021 NAIA Player of the Year, Lauren Quirke.