Five programs garner 2017 NFCA Travel Ball Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Five programs were selected by their peers as the 2017 NFCA Travel Ball Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, announced the Association on Wednesday morning.

Representing each of the NFCA’s five Travel Ball regions, these respective coaching staffs – Legends (W.Va.) Softball (East), Beverly (Ill.) Bandits (North), Tennessee Mojo (South), Texas Glory (South Central) and Orange County (Calif.) Strikeforce (West)- are now eligible for the NFCA’s National Coaching Staff of the Year award.

Regional Winners

East – Legends Softball (WV)

Head Coach: Robert Brown
Assistants: Dewayne Brogan, Randy Smith, Ed Riffle, Bobby Spencer

Brown and his staff directed a complete turnaround of the Legends program… In 2017, Legends Softball won or was runner up in all competitions, including a second-place showing at the 2017 Top Gun World Series in Concord, N.C.

North – Beverly Bandits Conroy (Ill.)

Head Coach: Bill Conroy
Assistants: Rex Mack, Seth Holloway, Russell Cooper, Alexis Mack

Captured titles at King of the Hill, PGF Shootout and PGF Nationals (18u Premier Division)… Posted a 34-2 mark in elimination games against top competition and became the first team not based in Southern California to win the 18U Premier division of PGF.

South – Tennessee Mojo

Head Coach: Brooks Cherry
Assistants: Samantha Bates, Wayne Key

Mojo 2021, a first-year 14u team, finished the season 55-14-3 and won USA 14U Nationals… In preparation for nationals, Mojo 2021 recorded a top-five finish at the Scenic City Power Pool and tied for fifth at the Sparkler Jr. Power Pool in Colorado… Collected several wins over some of the top 14u teams in the country and finished the season going 8-0 in bracket play.

South Central – Texas Glory

Head Coach: Kevin Shelton
Assistants: Tony Woodall, Scott Edwards

Opened the season by winning the 2017 18u Triple Crown Texas State title… Posted top-five finishes at 18u Colorado Fireworks Super 48 (2nd), ASA/USA Futures Cup (3rd), 18u Triple Crown Nationals (5th) and 18u PGF Nationals (5th)… Highest finishing Texas organization in all five tournaments… Glory’s pitch staff tossed 20 shutouts, including four in PGF Nationals bracket play.

West – Orange County Strikeforce (Calif.)

Head Coach: Mark Bustamante
Assistants: Melissa Adams, Kaylie Bustamante, Tony Adams

Enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in the organization’s five years of existence… A record eight seniors signed with four-year college programs… In its finals tournament, OC Strikeforce boasted a perfect 8-0 mark and allowed just six runs at USSSA Nationals… Aurora Adams was named Tournament MVP and Faith Fennell garnered Defensive MVP honors.