Wallace State softball’s Jayne Clem, Tracy Grindrod named NFCA NJCAA Division I Coaching Staff of the Year

HANCEVILLE – Wallace State softball head coach Jayne Clem and assistant Tracy Grindrod have been selected as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NJCAA Division I Coaching Staff of the Year for the third time in their careers. Clem and Grindrod led Wallace State to its second national championship in 2013, finishing with a 55-12 record.
Clem and Grindrod first earned the coaching staff of the year recognition in 2008 after leading the Lady Lions to their first national title. They captured the honor again in 2010 when Wallace State finished national runner-up.
Under Clem and Grindrod, Wallace State put together many impressive achievements among its march to the national title. The team set a new single-season mark with 75 homers, including a record 23 homers by freshman third baseman Kori Benson. Wallace State sophomore pitchers Lindsey DeFee and BreeAnna Blevins each won 26 games, marking the second time in school history a starting duo each surpassed the 20-win plateau.
Clem also reached another coaching milestone in 2013, earning her 700^th career win on April 18 against Calhoun. She maintains a 717-177 career record (.802 winning percentage) after 14 seasons with the Lady Lions and has been named the ACCC Coach of the Year 11 times.
Wallace State advanced to the NJCAA national tournament in St. George Utah, after winning its second consecutive state title, sixth and seven seasons and eighth overall — all under Clem. At the national tournament, the eighth-seeded Lady Lions dethroned the No. 1, 2 and 5 seeds en route to the title, scoring 33 runs in six games. Wallace State defeated Salt Lake City (Utah) CC 7-3 in the championship game.
Grindrod joined the Wallace State program eight seasons ago and has been a part of six state championships, both national titles and both national runner-up finishes.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit wallacestate.edu.