Opelika hires UL-Monroe assistant Jessica Thornton as new softball coach | High School

Opelika has its new school softball coach, and that’s somebody who has a number of expertise with diamonds.

Opelika introduced the hiring of former UL Monroe assistant coach Jessica Thornton on Wednesday. Thornton replaces Randy Belyeu, an Opelika alum who was the top coach of the Woman Bulldogs for 2 years.

“I am tremendous excited. I believe there’s a number of potential in this system, ”mentioned Thornton. “Opelika has a historical past of excellent sports activities, in fact, so I am wanting ahead to getting in there and attempting to assist it succeed as I see match.”

Thornton involves Opelika with an in depth background in softball.

The Auburn Excessive softball workforce opened the realm match with a commanding 7-2 win over Smiths Station on Wednesday

Thornton has spent the final six years as an assistant at UL-Monroe underneath head coaches Corey Lyon and Molly Fichtner. Whereas on the Warhawks, Thornton coached all-star athlete Rochelle Roberts, a four-time Solar Belt All-Convention participant, and Sydney McKay, who broke the workforce’s all-time hits file.

Thornton was briefly interim head coach of the Warhawks after Lyons left to Marshall in August 2018.

Thornton got here to Monroe after a profitable enjoying profession.

Thornton, whose maiden title was Jessica Man, performed at Mountain View Excessive College in Vancouver, Washington, and was a three-time All District performer and a second workforce within the All-State choice. She boasted a profession .443 batting common, together with a .485 clip in her senior season.

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