Utah State Softball Team Completes Coaching Roster with Pistole and Pearce

Utah State [University] softball team has completed its coaching roster around head coach Carissa Millsap-Kalaba by adding assistant coach Jessica Pistole and assistant coach Holly Pearce.

Jessica Pistole joins Utah State as an assistant coach by way of William Jessup University, where she was the head softball coach for two seasons for the Warriors. Pistole was awarded the California Pacific Conference Coach of the Year in 2011. William Jessup University is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) and competes in the California Pacific Conference. Pistole brings years of pitching experience to the Aggies, as she has been a pitching instructor since 1998 and specializes in teaching mechanics, pitch selection and the mental aspects of pitching. Pistole coached at Biola University from 2002-2004, where she guided her squad to a 51-46 overall record in two seasons. Current Utah State head softball coach, Carissa Millsap-Kalaba also coached at Biola University from 2005-2009.

While at William Jessup University, Pistole proposed and executed the starting of the softball program in 2009 and was responsible for all administrative duties. After her second season leading the Warriors, Pistole finished with a 54-38 career record. Last season, Pistole led William Jessup to the CPC Championship with a 15-1 conference record, while going 28-18 overall. Pistole was named the 2011 CALPAC Coach of the Year. In two years, Pistole placed 16 players on the all-Conference team. Prior to being the head coach of the softball team, Pistole was the head volleyball coach for William Jessup University from 2002-2004. She was able to expand the volleyball program from nine student athletes to 16 in just one season at the helm.

Pistole is a graduate of Biola University and received a bachelor's degree in health psychology in 2002. During her time as a student (1998-2002), Pistole was a dual-athlete, playing softball and volleyball all four years. As a senior, she was awarded as the Female Athlete of the Year in 2002 as well as the Outstanding Character Athlete in 2002. In 2001, Pistole also received the honor of being the 2001 Golden State Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year after posting a 0.79 career ERA while at Biola. Pistole could also swing the bat as well with a career .340 batting average.

Jessica is married to Bryan Pistole and they have three children, Glory Belle 5, Wynn Harper 2 and Kuyper Fox 6 months. Pistole was born in La Mirada, Calif.

Coaching profile:

• Head Softball Coach 2009-11 William Jessop University
• Head Volleyball Coach 2006-08 William Jessop University
• Head Softball Coach 2002-04 Biola University
• Pitching Instructor 1998-2011
• Playing Experience1998-2002 Softball (Biola) 1998-2002 Volleyball (Biola)

Holly Pearce joins the Utah State softball coaching staff in as an assistant coach for the 2012 season. Prior to becoming a part of the Aggies coaching staff, Pearce last coached at Los Alamitos High School, in southern California, from 2009 to 2011, as well as leading the Jets Gold U18 team from 2009 to 2011. Pearce also served as the assistant coach at Biola University from 2006-08, with now head coach for Utah State, Carissa Kalaba. Pearce was also an assistant coach for the Jets, under Kalaba, from 2005-09. All three of the USU coaches have coached at Biola University at one point in their careers.

Pearce graduated from San Francisco State with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2006. During her time at San Francisco State, Pearce was a standout athlete and played softball all four years for the Gators as a pitcher and a utility player. Pearce finished her senior season amongst SFSU's career pitching leaders, finishing second all-time in strikeouts, third in wins and the fourth lowest career ERA. Pearce was also played with the American International Softball teams. Pearce also played for the Jets Gold squad from 1999-2003, in 2002 she was coached by Kalaba while playing for the Jets.

Pearce is currently a graduate student at Utah State, she is seeking a master's degree in physical education. Pearce has one sister, Jamie. Pearce hails from Long Beach, Calif., and attended Agoura High School in Agoura Hills California. Pearce still holds a Marmonte League High School Record for the most consecutive innings pitched in a single game, throwing 22 innings in a four-hour duel that ended in a 0-0 tie.

Coaching profile:

• Head Softball Coach 2009-11 Jets Gold, Los Alamitos High School
• Assistant Softball Coach 2006-08 Biola University; 2005-09 Jets Gold
• Playing Experience 2003-06 San Francisco State University; 2004 American International Softball; Holland 2005 American International Softball; Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic 2006 American International Softball; Tuscany, Italy 1999-2003 Jets Gold U18 Team

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