Veteran coach Lindsay Leftwich was named NC State's head softball coach on June 3, 2023. The fourth coach in Wolfpack program history, she comes to Raleigh after a dozen years as an assistant coach at national powerhouse LSU, where she was involved with all aspects of the program including defense, hitting, recruiting, video scouting and camps.
In her 12 seasons with the Tigers under head coach Beth Torina, Leftwich helped lead the program to four College World Series, including two finals. The Tigers have spent 166 weeks in the top 25, dating back to Leftwich's first season in Baton Rouge (2012).
LSU also appeared in 10 NCAA Regionals and seven Super Regionals during Leftwich's tenure. While working with all positions, she helped mentor 21 All-Americans and the program's first four-time All-American in catcher/infielder Sahvanna Jaquish. The Tigers boasted 58 All-SEC and 144 SEC Academic Honor Foll athletes while she was on staff.
"Coach Leftwich is ready to build a program of her own and I can't wait to watch her do that for the Wolfpack," said Corrigan. "She has been an integral part of very successful teams and that experience will serve her well as a head coach. She's also a great fit for our culture at NC State with her energy and enthusiasm."
The 2023 season marked the 17th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for the 42-17 Tigers, who ranked 25th in the week-one polls and finished the season ranked 11th.
In 2023, Leftwich led the Tiger defense to its second-highest fielding percentage in program history at .975 and set a program record for the fewest errors in a single season (41). She helped develop Ali Newland into an All-SEC first-team selection as a utility player and assisted center fielder Ciara Briggs to her second consecutive Gold Glove Award – the only two-time winner in college softball. LSU also boasted a program-high four student-athletes on the 2023 SEC All-Defensive Team.
"I'd like to thank NC State Athletics for this great opportunity," Leftwich said. "I am excited to lead a set of student-athletes striving to be the best in many different aspects of life. I want to also express my gratitude to Beth Torina, Miriam Segar, and LSU Softball for 12 life-changing years. I wouldn't be here without them.
"It will be my joy to 'Strengthen the Pack' each day by coaching unbelievable amounts of belief into each player, while also influencing the Raleigh community in positive ways. I can't wait to build my staff and get out on the recruiting trail in red and white! Go Pack!"
In 2022, Briggs recorded 82 putouts, seven assists, and was involved in one double play to earn the program's first Gold Glove Award.
The 2019 team posted a .303 batting average to finish out the season, 43 points higher than in 2018. The Tigers set a program record with 74 homers on the season, with two athletes recording 17 each.
The Tigers were SEC tournament runner-ups in 2016 and 2017. The 2016 season left a mark in the history book as the Tigers defeated Louisiana Tech 30-8 at Tiger Park. LSU recorded 30 runs, 27 hits, seven home runs, 27 RBIs, and 56 total bases to record program and SEC records. The team finished third in the College World Series after posting a 52-18 record. The 2017 season marked the third consecutive appearance in the College World Series for the Tigers. She helped three athletes finish with a batting average over .300 and four athletes with a slugging percentage of .400 or higher.
"NC State is getting one of the greatest people on the planet," said Torina of her longtime assistant. "Her value could not ever be measured in stats or numbers, although her on-field achievements can easily stand on their own. Her true worth is etched on the hearts of the women she has shaped and the selfless way she has worked and led with unconditional love. We are all better because we have been in the life of Lindsay and NC State is better today because she is at the helm. The future of NC State is incredibly bright!"
Prior to LSU, Leftwich spent four seasons at Florida International as Torina's top assistant. The Golden Panthers marked a historic season in 2010, accepting the program's second-ever NCAA Tournament bid and winning its first tournament game behind a 38-21 record.
Leftwich spent the 2007 season at New Mexico as the director of operations, where she was in charge of softball operations and assisted in daily coaching duties. She was the pitching coach at Wichita State for one year and helped the Shockers to a 35-23 record in 2006.
A native of Houston, Texas, Leftwich was a standout at Northwestern State where she earned NFCA All-Southeast Region, All-Southland Conference, and All-Louisiana second-team accolades in 2002. She drew in 44 RBIs in her sophomore season, tying the third most in NSU history.
Sidelined by a back injury, Leftwich missed her senior season as a player, but began her coaching career as a student assistant, aiding in coaching the offense and catchers in addition to playing an instrumental role in recruiting, fundraising, alumni relations, and camps.
Leftwich graduated from NSU in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and minors in art and substance abuse prevention. A standout in the classroom as well, she garnered several academic honors, earning Verizon Academic All-District nods twice and being named a four-time NFCA Scholar-Athlete.
Cassady joined the Pack in June 2023 as an assistant coach with a focus on pitching.
"Paige is one of the brightest pitching coaches in our game. I had the pleasure of coaching Paige at FIU, and I am so proud of the coach, mentor and mother she has grown into. I am ecstatic to get to do life with Paige and her family in Raleigh," said Leftwich. "Paige is an avid learner and is never afraid to stretch her own philosophies to grow her players. She is compassionate and will foster impactful relationships with the players and fully embodies the idea that teams 'win with people first'. Paige will help build women that can change the world. Our program is extremely lucky to have a coach of her caliber joining the team."
During the 2023 season at Texas Tech, Cassady helped the Red Raiders pitching staff lower its earned run average by over half a run.
Prior to her time in Lubbock, she spent nine seasons as the pitching coach at Liberty where she helped the pitching staff lower its ERA every season. She started as an assistant coach for the Flames in 2013 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2018 after the program saw its winningest four-year span. She received national recognition at the conclusion of the 2018 campaign when she was tabbed Assistant Coach of the Year by the NFCA. Under her guidance, 11 pitchers were named All-Conference, four earned Pitcher of the Year honors and three earned NFCA All-Region honors.
Under her tutelage, Emily Kirby was tabbed Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Year in both 2021 and 2022. Julia DiMartino also garnered back-to-back Pitcher of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018 when the Lady Flames were in the Big South Conference.
Cassady played two seasons at Presbyterian College, where she secured 16 wins in the circle. Prior to her junior season, she transferred to Florida International to play for then-head coach Beth Torina and assistant coach Lindsay Leftiwch. She spent time in the outfield and in the circle for the Panthers.
Cassady and her husband, Matthew, have two children, John (son) and Perry (daughter).
Bosch joined the Pack in June 2023 as an assistant coach with focus on defense, data, and player development.
Leftwich said, "Mike is an incredible find for the Wolfpack. As a decorated SEC assistant and experienced former head coach, Mike's path to NC State will help push the program forward quickly. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge that he tactfully applies to all aspects of the game. His ability to understand data, analytics and biomechanics is unmatched, but he sets himself apart by how he conveys those ideas to the players. He is truly the professor of player development. His relational qualities as a husband and father can easily be seen in how the players respond and grow under his coaching. He has amassed a ton of connections in the travel ball and high school community and will continue to recognize talent at an elite level. I am honored to add Mike to my family."
Bosch comes to Raleigh after working primarily with the Florida pitching staff where he helped develop Elizabeth Hightower into an All-SEC Freshman Team selection. He also mentored Natalie Lugo who led the NCAA in saves (6) in 2020. Under his leadership, the Gator pitching staff maintained an ERA below 3.70 in the last five seasons.
Prior to his time in Gainesville, he spent three seasons as the head coach of fellow ACC opponent Syracuse. During his time at the helm of the Orange, he led the development of six All-ACC selections. One of those was a 2017 Top-10 finalist for USA National Player of the Year, Sydney O'Hara. In his final season leading the Orange in 2018, he helped guide then-sophomore Alexa Romero to a nation-leading 10.9 strikeouts per inning.
Bosch also previously spent 13 years as head coach at Iowa Community College. During that time, he garnered a 525-236-2 record. He helped produce 28 All-Americans and 81 All-Region athletes, in addition to leading the team to two National Junior College Athletic Association Championships. The 2008 team placed fifth and the 2010 team finished third in the tournament. Bosch and his staff were also tabbed the NFCA Midwest Coaching Staff of the Year both years.
Bosch has three children, Kendall, Jacob, Cartsen. He and his wife, Ellen, reside in Raleigh.
Grayson Radcliffe enters her first season with the Wolfpack and joined the staff in July 2023. Radcliffe will assist in all areas but will focus on defense, base running, and slapping. She is also the director of Pack Softball Camps.
Leftwich said, "I am excited to add Grayson to the staff. She is dynamic, relational, and will bring a youthful energy. She brings a different perspective to the staff and will take pride in loving, challenging, and teaching each member of the Wolfpack. Her experience as a student-athlete and time as a graduate assistant, who focused on student-athlete welfare and growth, will be a tremendous asset to the program."
Radcliffe spent the 2023 season as a graduate assistant at Indiana, where she was apart of the 2023 NFCA Midwest Regional Staff of the Year and played the final four years of her collegiate career. During her time in the Cream and Crimson, she was a 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee, two-time All-Big Ten honoree and three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Honoree. At the conclusion of her senior season in 2021, she was tabbed CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team and NFCA All-Region Third Team. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she was awarded the Big Ten postgraduate scholarship and started working toward her master's degree in the 2022-23 school year.
Throughout her career at Indiana she led the team in several stat categories including runs (2019), home runs (2019, 2020, 2021) and RBIs (2019, 2021).
The Rockville, Va., native currently plays professional softball for the Florida Vibe, located in Bradenton, Fla.
Danielle Romanello works as a staff member for Pack softball camps. She focuses primarily with catching, fielding, and hitting.
Romanello started her collegiate career at the University of Florida. There, she was a 3 time SEC champion and made two trips to the Women’s College World Series. She later graduated and transferred to San Diego State. During her time as an Aztec, she made 94 starts, primarily at catcher. She finished her two year career with 15 doubles and 8 home runs. She also finished with a career .991 fielding percentage, which ranks 5th overall in SDSU career rankings. She was a Mountain West Champion, voted team captain, and helped her team advance to the Tempe Regional final with a grand slam against Cal State Fullerton in 2022.
Romanello currently is an employee at NC State and is actively involved in the softball community. She works with a facility in Durham, NC, giving lessons and coaching two travel softball teams. She also has experience working with middle, high school, and junior college softball players.
Ali Newland- Graduate Manager
Regan Spencer- Graduate Manager
