Nicole Yost returns for her her fourth season as SUNY Potsdam head softball coach and assistant sports information director.
2017 saw Yost guide sophomore Brooke Falsion to her first All-SUNYAC selection.
In 2016, Yost's Bears (13-26) matched the program's single-season record for wins. Her squad also set the single-season marks for runs (151), doubles (49), triples (11), walks (112), total bases (401) and earned run average (4.22). Potsdam registered a .272 batting average, .374 slugging percentage, .343 on-base percentage, and 123 RBI, each second most in program history. Junior Jordan Ott earned her third straight first team All-SUNYAC selection and second straight NFCA All-Northeast Region honor. Ott was also Academic All-District 3 Softball first team and the SUNY Chancellor's Award Winner for softball. Senior Katie Marsman was named second team all-conference.
In her first season, Yost helped guide shortstop Jordan Ott to a place the All-SUNYAC first team.
“We're delighted that Nicole has accepted our offer,” said Zalacca. “Her experiences gained from both her playing and coaching careers truly separated her from a very strong field of candidates. We're tremendously excited on embarking in this new chapter of SUNY Potsdam softball with Nicole as our head coach.”
For the last two seasons, Yost served as the assistant coach at Misericordia University where she participated in all aspects of the program. She was a hitting and fielding instructor, planned practices and clinics, directed all program fundraising and recruited athletes. During her time with the Cougars, Misericordia saw a seven-win improvement, going from 16-22 in 2013 to 25-17 in 2014 to reach the Freedom Conference and ECAC South playoffs. Since 2011, Yost has also assisted the Silver Bullets 18-under travel team in Williamsport, Pa. and the Jersey Shore (Pa.) High School team.
Prior to her coaching career, Yost was a three-year captain and four-year starter for Mansfield University. The catcher/outfielder was highly decorated with the Mounties. Yost ranks second on the program’s career home run list (23) and third on the single-season homer list (9). She was a first team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) selection in 2009 and 2010. She was also the Mounties Spring Athlete of the Year in 2009.
As Potsdam’s ASID, Yost will assist sports information director Dan Bronson in all facets of the department's coverage of the Bears' 16 varsity programs.
Yost, an Antes Fort, Pa. native, earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education for mathematics from Mansfield in 2011 and her master’s in instructional technology from Misericordia in May 2014.
