Jacksonville University Softball

A familiar face will be taking the reins of the Jacksonville University softball program as Erica Ayers will lead the Dolphins in 2018. “Erica is the right person to step in as head coach of our softball program at Jacksonville University,” said Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert. “Her experience is vast, and she is ready for the opportunity. The future for our softball program is bright and I couldn’t be more excited for Erica and our student-athletes.” Ayers came on staff in 2016 as an assistant under former head coach Jennifer Steele and immediately made an impact, primarily working with the Dolphins’ defensive efforts. A 17-year coaching veteran, her defensive efforts saw the team drop its error total from 100 to just 62 while its hitting improved from .240 to .274 in just two seasons. Since arriving at JU, six Dolphins have garnered All-ASUN Conference Team honors, along with an ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year and CoSIDA All-District Selection. “I would like to thank Alex Ricker-Gilbert and our administration for giving me this opportunity to continue to develop and grow our student-athletes and our softball program,” said Ayers. “We have a great group of young ladies at JU who are committed to excellence on and off the field and I can’t wait to see how far we can go.” The 2021 season was the most successful of the Ayers era, as she guided the Dolphins to a 29-20 record and a 9-9 ledger in ASUN play. Jacksonville made its first ASUN Tournament appearance since 2018 and was led by a talented and deep group of seniors, many of whom returned in 2021 as a result of the 2020 season being canceled after 26 games due to COVID-19. JU rattled off nine-straight wins from Feb. 26 to March 7, including a clean sweep of the weekend at the JU UNF Spring Break Challenge in which JU outscored the opposition 46-4 over five games that weekend. ASUN play was highlighted by a series sweep of Stetson March 20-23 and a series win over the Hatters April 2-3. Postseason play saw the Dolphins play their quarterfinal series at UNF and take two of three games from the Ospreys to advance to the Championship Four weekend at Kennesaw State. The 2020 season was off to a fast start as JU had a 15-11 record before the season was cut short in mid-March due to COVID-19. The Dolphins were 3-0 in ASUN play and went 5-3 against ACC opponents, including a win at Florida State and a one-run loss at Clemson. Several Dolphins took home All-ASUN accolades, including a pair of first team selections in Alyssa Bilodeau and Madison Ragan. In Ayers’ first season at the helm in 2018, JU posted a 27-29 record and ranked in the top 20 nationally in stolen bases per game with 1.89. A five-game winning streak during the season saw a doubleheader sweep of George Mason and a series sweep at home against UNF in which the Dolphins outscored the Ospreys 16-2. Alyssa Bilodeau was a 16-game winner in the circle and posted a 2.32 ERA in 190 innings while Madison Ragan led the team with a .346 batting average, while ASUN First Team selection Heather Roberts belted 10 homeruns and drove in 33. Allie McCourt stole 38 bases, the most in a season in program history as she also garnered First Team All-Conference honors. Hannah Roberts was named to the ASUN All-Freshman team after batting .238 and driving in 23 runs. “I have had the distinct honor and privilege of working with Erica for many years. Her passion, drive, and knowledge of the game is second to none,” added Pat Conlon, head softball coach at Georgetown. “I can’t think of another person more deserving. I am excited to see the impact that Erica has on the Jacksonville Athletics Department and her student-athletes.” Prior to her time at Georgetown, Ayers spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, George Mason University, in Fairfax, Va. Working closely with the Patriot’s infielders and hitters, Ayers helped coach 13 All Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) selections, one CAA Rookie of the Year, and one CAA Player of the Year. Additionally, Ayers has helped develop two Virginia Players of the Year, two first team All Mid-Atlantic Region players and two second team All Region selections. Ayers played at George Mason from 1997-2000. She started 189 games in the middle infield, recording a .306 career batting average and 100 RBI. She was named 2000 George Mason Female Athlete of the Year.

The Jacksonville University softball team announced on July 8, 2025 the hiring of Holli Mitchell as the team's new pitching coach. Mitchell comes to Jacksonville after three years as the pitching coach for the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. For her entire career as a pitcher and coach, Mitchell has found achievement at all levels. Starting her playing days at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala., Mitchell helped lead her squad to consecutive state titles in 2007 and 2008. During the '08 season, Mitchell anchored the team to a NJCAA National Championship and was awarded the ACCC MVP during her sophomore season. She earned all-region honors twice, was an All-ACCC honoree and was named an All-American while with Wallace State. Mitchell continued her playing career at Central Arkansas, where she excelled again on the mound. During her first season with the Bears, Mitchell was named the Southland Conference's Newcomer of the Year after a 33-start season that featured Mitchell