Natalie Ruechel was hired as Averett University's softball head coach in May 2018 after previously serving as an assistant coach with the Cougars for two seasons.
A native of Oconto, Wisconsin, Ruechel guided the Cougars to a 31-16 mark in her first season as head coach in 2019 as Cougars advanced to the USA South Conference Tournament championship. Reuchel produced one National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America selection, two NFCA All-Region picks, the USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Year and three all-conference selections during her first season at the helm. The Cougars also set several team records in 2019, including the single-season record for team home runs.
Ruechel joined Averett’s softball program in June 2016 as an assistant coach. In her first season, she helped guide Averett to the 2017 USA South Conference Tournament championship and an NCAA Regional appearance. In two seasons with Ruechel as an assistant coach, Averett compiled a 50-44 overall with a 24-14 mark in the conference. The program enjoyed individual success as well, producing one All-American selection, one Academic All-America selection, one USA South Player of the Year and one USA South Rookie of the Year and six all-conference performers in addition to winning a pair of games over nationally ranked opponents.
Prior to coming to Averett, Ruechel spent one season as the pitching coach at her undergraduate alma mater, Carroll University, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and helped guide the Pioneers to a 25-15 record. Her coaching experience also includes time working various softball clinics and teaching private pitching and catching instruction. Ruechel played two seasons at Division III Carroll, where she went 13-9 in the circle as a senior while earning All-Midwest Conference Second Team honors. In addition, she was a team captain for the Pioneers during her senior season. Prior to Carroll, She played at Division II Wayne State College for one season, where she appeared in 24 games as a relief pitcher and pinch hitter. She began her collegiate playing career at Iowa Western Community College, going 8-0 with a 1.64 earned run average in 42.2 innings pitched while helping her team compile a 38-18 record.
Ruechel graduated from Carroll in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in physical and health education. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in business administration from Averett.
Ruechel comes from coaching family. Her brother served as an assistant coach with Averett’s baseball team in 2018 before joining Division I University of North Carolina Wilmington's softball program as an assistant coach and her father currently is a softball assistant coach at Division I University of Buffalo.
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| Â NATALIE RUECHEL'S YEAR-BY-YEAR COACHING RESULTS |
| Season |
Overall |
USA South |
Finish |
Postseason |
| 2019 |
31-16 |
9-7 |
T-3rd East |
USA South Conference Tournament finals |
| Totals |
31-16
(.660) |
9-7
(.562)
|
|
|
| Â COACHING HIGHLIGHTS |
 • 1 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Selection
 • 2 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Selections
 • 1 USA South Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Year
 • 3 USA South All-Conference Performers
 • Set several team records including most home runs in a single-season in 2019. |
