EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Head University of Evansville Softball Coach Mat Mundell has announced the hiring of Ashley Balazs as his assistant coach with the Purple Aces. 
"I am excited to add Ashley to our coaching staff," said Mundell. "She is a young up-and-comer in the coaching ranks and a tremendous asset in helping to develop our young players. To be able to add someone of Ashley's caliber is a real win for the Aces."
 
Balazs comes to Evansville after spending the 2014 season as the head coach at Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisc.  In a short time, she made a great impact, improving the squad by 12 wins from 2013.  She also led the team to a 108 run improvement in run differential while coaching three All-Conference players.

"I would like to thank Interim Director of Athletics Dwight Merilatt and Coach Mundell for this opportunity," Balazs said.  "This is a great step forward in my career and I am eager to get on campus and begin working with the coaching staff and team."
 
Prior to Viterbo, Balazs spent two seasons as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Indianapolis.  She coached two Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshmen of the Year, two Player of the Year winners, three First Team All-Americans as well as a Pitcher of the Year in the GLVC. 
 
In each of those years, UIndy was ranked in the top two entering postseason play and advanced to the Super Regionals in 2013.  She was part of a coaching staff that was named the GLVC and Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2012 and '13.
 
Balazs, a Drury University graduate, started all four years of her college career as a catcher or an outfielder. In addition to being an Academic All-GLVC honoree, Balazs also won the Drury Panther Pride Award.