Eastern Michigan Athletics
Softball
Eric Oakley
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- eoakley@emich.edu
- Phone:
- 734.487.2274
The 2011 season marks the fifth season for Eric Oakley with the Eastern Michigan University softball team, where he serves as the pitching and catching coach, as well as continuing to work with the outfielders. He also serves as recruiting coordinator for the Eagles and organizes the camps and clinics.
In 2010, Oakley was named as interim head coach while Karen Baird took a leave of absense to give birth to her first child. Oakley led the Eagles to a 19-30-1 overall record (8-13-1 Mid-American Conference) and one win shy of a MAC tournament berth. The team earned two First-Team All-MAC selections, Jennifer Scherer and Sarah Gerber, for the first time since 2007.
The 2009 season was marked by a 7-game improvement over the previous season record, including a no-hitter vs. Albany and a 3-2 win over No. 17 Louisville in the South Florida Tournament. Scherer broke the EMU single-season (14) and career (36) home run records. The previous records were 13 single-season and 24 career. The 2009 team also earned several post-season honors, including Second-Team All-MAC selections, Jennifer Scherer and Stacie Skodinski; All-Freshmen Team pick, Kaylee Tolliver; and MAC All-Academic Honorees, Scherer and Heather Han.
The 2008 season saw some Eagles achieve personal goals, including: Stephanie Sabo’s third consecutive error-free season, Ashley Strauss’ MAC leading .512 batting average, and Jenny Scherer taking over the second place position in career home runs with her 22nd round-tripper as an Eagle.
The 2007 season was a banner year for the Eagles as they won the first championship in program history and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. EMU racked up the postseason awards as shortstop Lauren Clark repeated as MAC Player of the Year, four Eagles were selected to All-MAC teams, and Baird was selected as the MAC Coach of the Year.
After struggling during the non-conference portion of the season, the Green and White regrouped to open conference play. EMU won 11 of its first 13 conference games en route to capturing the West title and earning a No.2 seed in the MAC Tournament.
The Eagles rattled off four straight victories over Bowling Green, Ohio (twice) and Central Michigan to win the tournament and the conference’s automatic entry to the NCAA Tournament. Playing in the NCAA Regional at the University of Michigan, the Eagles fell to the Wolverines, 3-0, and then bowed out of the tournament with a loss to Oregon State.
Prior to joining the Eastern Michigan staff, Oakley, an EMU graduate, had been coaching softball at various levels for over 15 years throughout the Metro-Detroit area. His travel teams have had both regional and national success and have produced players for all collegiate levels. His 2001 Motor City Madness 18-and-under team finished third at the Triple Crown World Series. The squad was the only team east of the Mississippi River to qualify and compete in the national event.
A member of the NFCA, he began coaching in 1992 with Brighton Parks and Recreation. He coached varsity softball at Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School, and junior varsity softball at both Novi High School and Farmington Hills Mercy High School. His coaching career also includes two years of coaching girls’ varsity basketball at Birmingham Seaholm High School.
In 2010, Oakley was named as interim head coach while Karen Baird took a leave of absense to give birth to her first child. Oakley led the Eagles to a 19-30-1 overall record (8-13-1 Mid-American Conference) and one win shy of a MAC tournament berth. The team earned two First-Team All-MAC selections, Jennifer Scherer and Sarah Gerber, for the first time since 2007.
The 2009 season was marked by a 7-game improvement over the previous season record, including a no-hitter vs. Albany and a 3-2 win over No. 17 Louisville in the South Florida Tournament. Scherer broke the EMU single-season (14) and career (36) home run records. The previous records were 13 single-season and 24 career. The 2009 team also earned several post-season honors, including Second-Team All-MAC selections, Jennifer Scherer and Stacie Skodinski; All-Freshmen Team pick, Kaylee Tolliver; and MAC All-Academic Honorees, Scherer and Heather Han.
The 2008 season saw some Eagles achieve personal goals, including: Stephanie Sabo’s third consecutive error-free season, Ashley Strauss’ MAC leading .512 batting average, and Jenny Scherer taking over the second place position in career home runs with her 22nd round-tripper as an Eagle.
The 2007 season was a banner year for the Eagles as they won the first championship in program history and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. EMU racked up the postseason awards as shortstop Lauren Clark repeated as MAC Player of the Year, four Eagles were selected to All-MAC teams, and Baird was selected as the MAC Coach of the Year.
After struggling during the non-conference portion of the season, the Green and White regrouped to open conference play. EMU won 11 of its first 13 conference games en route to capturing the West title and earning a No.2 seed in the MAC Tournament.
The Eagles rattled off four straight victories over Bowling Green, Ohio (twice) and Central Michigan to win the tournament and the conference’s automatic entry to the NCAA Tournament. Playing in the NCAA Regional at the University of Michigan, the Eagles fell to the Wolverines, 3-0, and then bowed out of the tournament with a loss to Oregon State.
Prior to joining the Eastern Michigan staff, Oakley, an EMU graduate, had been coaching softball at various levels for over 15 years throughout the Metro-Detroit area. His travel teams have had both regional and national success and have produced players for all collegiate levels. His 2001 Motor City Madness 18-and-under team finished third at the Triple Crown World Series. The squad was the only team east of the Mississippi River to qualify and compete in the national event.
A member of the NFCA, he began coaching in 1992 with Brighton Parks and Recreation. He coached varsity softball at Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School, and junior varsity softball at both Novi High School and Farmington Hills Mercy High School. His coaching career also includes two years of coaching girls’ varsity basketball at Birmingham Seaholm High School.
Thank You, Team 38
Monday, May 07
Overcoming Adversity: A Lauren Holdsworth Feature
Saturday, February 24
Closing Out a Legacy: Michelle Kriegshauser
Thursday, May 18
EMU Softball Signs Alyssa Feiler
Saturday, March 25
