LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Guiding the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to its deepest postseason run in program history has earned the Grizzlies’ coaching staff the NAIA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year award from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg joins assistant coaches Tonya Medders and John Ihlenburg in being among six coaching staffs recognized nationally by the organization for their effort during the 2019 season.

The national award winner will be announced on June 12.

GGC reached the semifinals of the NAIA World Series with victories against Vanguard University (Calif.), Oregon Tech and Marian University (Ind.). The team posted a 45-16 record while facing many of the nation’s best NAIA softball programs in the country, including a six-game trip to California. The 45 victories rank third most in a single season in program history.

Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked among the nation’s top 10 NAIA teams throughout the season and won its third consecutive Association of Independent Institutions championship. Ihlenburg was named the A.I.I. Coach of the Year for this season.