Eastern Michigan Athletics
Gentile Finalizes 2013-14 Softball Coaching Staff
8/27/2013 10:30:00 AM | Softball
Adds Two Former Standouts to Full-Time Staff
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Head Softball Coach Melissa Gentile has announced the hiring of Kim Burke and Courtney Pruner as assistant coaches, as well as Denis Bausick as a volunteer coach Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Burke comes to Eastern after a three year stint as the head coach at Ohio Northern University where she led the Polar Bears to a NCAA Division III College World Series in 2012. While at Ohio Northern, Burke and the Polar Bears posted a 71-43 overall record and a 37-16 record in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Mt. Pleasant, Mich. native began her coaching career at the University of Massachusetts where she was an assistant coach for two years before assisting at Kent State for four years and Central Michigan for two years. Burke will work primarily with the outfielders as well as work with the Eagles on their baserunning.
Burke was a member of the Central Michigan softball team from 1998-2001 where she was named Second Team All-Region and also earned First Team All-MAC honors. In her senior campaign, Burke was named to the MAC All-Tournament team. The former infielder tied for fourth all-time at CMU with 36 career doubles and helped the Chippewas to two first-place finishes in the West division of the MAC during her four year career.
Gentile said, "Kim brings a wealth of experience both as an assistant coach and as a head coach to our staff. I am thrilled to have someone with her experience, passion for teaching and work ethic on board."
Along with Burke, the Eagles will add Pruner to their staff who will work primarily with pitchers and corner players in the infield. Pruner comes to Ypsilanti after serving as an assistant coach at Cleveland State University for two years.
The Akron, Ohio native was a standout hitter and position player at Ohio State from 2006-10, but was limited in pitching due to a hip injury. While at Ohio State, Pruner wrote her name into the record books as she ranks fourth all-time in runs batted in (158), home runs (38) and walks (115). Pruner also ranks seventh all-time in runs scored (129), ties for seventh all-time in games played (225) and ties for eighth all-time in doubles (36).
Not only did Pruner rank in six career categories as a Buckeye, but also has her name in the books for season records, ranking eighth in home runs (12), ninth in runs batted in (46), tied for 23th in runs scored (27), and 15th in walks (29). Pruner also etched her name in the freshman batting records as she notched four triples, seven home runs, 33 RBI, and 29 runs in her first season for the Scarlet and Gray.
"Courtney is a great addition to our staff and I am looking forward to the attention to detail she will bring to our pitching staff. She was a standout athlete at Ohio State and I think will be known as one of the up and coming young coaches in our region very soon," Gentile stated.
The Eagles will see the return of Denis Bausick to its staff as a volunteer coach who will help with game setup. Bausick has been involved with EMU Athletics on a voluntary basis for the past 10 years..
Gentile says, "Denis has been a huge asset to EMU Athletics for the past 10 years and I am really excited that Denis will be staying with us this year. His knowledge of the department and connection to the EMU community will serve us well moving into this next phase for EMU Softball."
Burke comes to Eastern after a three year stint as the head coach at Ohio Northern University where she led the Polar Bears to a NCAA Division III College World Series in 2012. While at Ohio Northern, Burke and the Polar Bears posted a 71-43 overall record and a 37-16 record in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Mt. Pleasant, Mich. native began her coaching career at the University of Massachusetts where she was an assistant coach for two years before assisting at Kent State for four years and Central Michigan for two years. Burke will work primarily with the outfielders as well as work with the Eagles on their baserunning.
Burke was a member of the Central Michigan softball team from 1998-2001 where she was named Second Team All-Region and also earned First Team All-MAC honors. In her senior campaign, Burke was named to the MAC All-Tournament team. The former infielder tied for fourth all-time at CMU with 36 career doubles and helped the Chippewas to two first-place finishes in the West division of the MAC during her four year career.
Gentile said, "Kim brings a wealth of experience both as an assistant coach and as a head coach to our staff. I am thrilled to have someone with her experience, passion for teaching and work ethic on board."
Along with Burke, the Eagles will add Pruner to their staff who will work primarily with pitchers and corner players in the infield. Pruner comes to Ypsilanti after serving as an assistant coach at Cleveland State University for two years.
The Akron, Ohio native was a standout hitter and position player at Ohio State from 2006-10, but was limited in pitching due to a hip injury. While at Ohio State, Pruner wrote her name into the record books as she ranks fourth all-time in runs batted in (158), home runs (38) and walks (115). Pruner also ranks seventh all-time in runs scored (129), ties for seventh all-time in games played (225) and ties for eighth all-time in doubles (36).
Not only did Pruner rank in six career categories as a Buckeye, but also has her name in the books for season records, ranking eighth in home runs (12), ninth in runs batted in (46), tied for 23th in runs scored (27), and 15th in walks (29). Pruner also etched her name in the freshman batting records as she notched four triples, seven home runs, 33 RBI, and 29 runs in her first season for the Scarlet and Gray.
"Courtney is a great addition to our staff and I am looking forward to the attention to detail she will bring to our pitching staff. She was a standout athlete at Ohio State and I think will be known as one of the up and coming young coaches in our region very soon," Gentile stated.
The Eagles will see the return of Denis Bausick to its staff as a volunteer coach who will help with game setup. Bausick has been involved with EMU Athletics on a voluntary basis for the past 10 years..
Gentile says, "Denis has been a huge asset to EMU Athletics for the past 10 years and I am really excited that Denis will be staying with us this year. His knowledge of the department and connection to the EMU community will serve us well moving into this next phase for EMU Softball."
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