University of Massachusets Athletics
Stefanoni Adds Gajownik to Softball Coaching Staff
July 10, 2017 | Softball
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts softball head coach Kristi Stefanoni has announced the addition of Ronnie Gajownik to her coaching staff. Gajownik will join the Minutewomen as an assistant coach following a two-year stint as a graduate assistant at Liberty and brings with her a diverse background of collegiate and international playing experience.
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Ronnie into our UMass softball family," said Stefanoni. "She brings a wealth of knowledge to our program having played for one of the best coaches in our game and having coached for two seasons under the best to have ever played our sport. Ronnie's playing experience with the USA Women's National Baseball team will bring a unique blend of the game into our program and her energy is contagious. We can't wait to have her start."
"Playing ball at the University of South Florida and being the graduate assistant for Liberty University has allowed me the privilege to work with great coaches such as Ken Eriksen and Dot Richardson," said Gajownik. "I can't wait to continue the trend of working with high-class coaches under Kristi Stefanoni as her assistant coach. Kristi exhibits a passion and drive for the game that I am excited to add to at UMass. I'm so thankful for Kristi giving me the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of student-athletes and to call myself a Minutewoman."
Gajownik served as a graduate assistant for the Liberty softball program from 2015-17 where she helped the Lady Flames to a program-record 46 wins and a Big South regular-season title in 2017, working in an operations role for the squad and assisting coaches during practices and in games.
Prior to joining the Liberty staff, Gajownik played softball collegiately and internationally. As a member of Team USA, she took part in the first-ever women's baseball competition at the 2015 Toronto Pan American games where Team USA went undefeated en route to the championship.
Gajownik was a two-year starting infielder (2014, 2015) at South Florida, playing under current USA Softball head coach Ken Eriksen. She was twice named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and earned a NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete mention in 2014.
"UMass is getting a coach in Ronnie Gajownik that has a passion for working with people to make them better on and off the field," said Eriksen. "The time I got to spend around her and her family was a confirmation that she was a wonderful person that played softball and played it with passion. I have no doubt that Ronnie will enhance the program's philosophy."
Before completing her collegiate career at USF, Gajownik played at Indian River State College in 2013 where she was a first-team all-conference selection, batting .422 with a .547 slugging percentage. As a freshman, Gajownik played at Jacksonville, hitting three homers on the season.
Gajownik graduated from USF in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social science and earned her master's degree in exercise science from Liberty in 2017.
For continued coverage of UMass softball, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassSoftball).
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Ronnie into our UMass softball family," said Stefanoni. "She brings a wealth of knowledge to our program having played for one of the best coaches in our game and having coached for two seasons under the best to have ever played our sport. Ronnie's playing experience with the USA Women's National Baseball team will bring a unique blend of the game into our program and her energy is contagious. We can't wait to have her start."
"Playing ball at the University of South Florida and being the graduate assistant for Liberty University has allowed me the privilege to work with great coaches such as Ken Eriksen and Dot Richardson," said Gajownik. "I can't wait to continue the trend of working with high-class coaches under Kristi Stefanoni as her assistant coach. Kristi exhibits a passion and drive for the game that I am excited to add to at UMass. I'm so thankful for Kristi giving me the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of student-athletes and to call myself a Minutewoman."
Gajownik served as a graduate assistant for the Liberty softball program from 2015-17 where she helped the Lady Flames to a program-record 46 wins and a Big South regular-season title in 2017, working in an operations role for the squad and assisting coaches during practices and in games.
Prior to joining the Liberty staff, Gajownik played softball collegiately and internationally. As a member of Team USA, she took part in the first-ever women's baseball competition at the 2015 Toronto Pan American games where Team USA went undefeated en route to the championship.
Gajownik was a two-year starting infielder (2014, 2015) at South Florida, playing under current USA Softball head coach Ken Eriksen. She was twice named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and earned a NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete mention in 2014.
"UMass is getting a coach in Ronnie Gajownik that has a passion for working with people to make them better on and off the field," said Eriksen. "The time I got to spend around her and her family was a confirmation that she was a wonderful person that played softball and played it with passion. I have no doubt that Ronnie will enhance the program's philosophy."
Before completing her collegiate career at USF, Gajownik played at Indian River State College in 2013 where she was a first-team all-conference selection, batting .422 with a .547 slugging percentage. As a freshman, Gajownik played at Jacksonville, hitting three homers on the season.
Gajownik graduated from USF in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social science and earned her master's degree in exercise science from Liberty in 2017.
For continued coverage of UMass softball, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassSoftball).
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