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Marjory Stoneman Douglas Graduate Samantha Kelley Named New Softball Coach

by Matt Rothman September 6, 2023

by Matt Rothman September 6, 2023 256 views

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Graduate Samantha Kelly Named New Softball Coach

Samantha Kelley. {Bethune-Cookman Athletics}

By: Matt Rothman

Marjory Stoneman Douglas is set to welcome in graduate Samantha Kelley as the new softball head coach.

Kelley was a 2017 graduate of MSD and played four years on varsity under former coach Brian Staubly. She was the 2014 Rookie of the Year and made Second Team All-County as a freshman. She finished high school with a .385 batting average with nine home runs and 54 RBIs before playing two years at Bethune Cookman University in college.

“It feels great,” Kelley said. “Playing softball here changed my life for the better, so getting the opportunity to do that for the high schoolers now is a great feeling,”

After college, she went on to take a break from competing and was an assistant under Staubly before playing her senior year with the Wildcats. Kelley calls Staubly an amazing coach and a great person.

“Staubly has helped shape my coaching style, taught me networking as a coach, and helped me find my voice while encouraging me to voice my opinion regarding the game and theory of play,” Kelley added. “Most importantly, he stood by me and backed me up through adversity and helped me navigate with regard to other challenges.”

The Eagles are coming off a season where they went 18-7 and made the Regional Semifinals. While they had four seniors graduate and all move on to play college softball, they still return several key players and hope to break through under their new head coach.

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Matt Rothman

Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student. He also works for the Mohave Valley Daily News in Bullhead City, Arizona covering high school sports.