BUFFALO, N.Y. – The D'Youville University Softball team welcomes new Graduate Assistant Coach, Kaitlyn Schmitz to the staff.

Kaitlyn Schmitz joined D'Youville University as a Graduate Assistant Softball Coach following an accomplished collegiate career as a pitcher at SUNY Geneseo. A two-time SUNYAC Conference Champion and 2022 Championship MVP, Schmitz earned multiple All-Region and All-Conference honors, including three Empire 8 Pitcher of the Week selections. Serving as team captain during her final two seasons, she demonstrated strong leadership, fostering unity and a competitive edge that propelled her teams to success at both the conference and NCAA levels.

Head Coach, Shelly Hoerner says, "We are excited to welcome Kaitlyn to our staff.  As a two-way player in the college setting, she will bring a wealth of pitching knowledge to our program as well as hitting.  Kaitlyn's playing success will continue to help elevate and bring that championship mindset daily.  She has mentored and coached young softball players, and I am looking forward to watching her connect with our own softball student-athletes and making that positive impact here at D'Youville."

Off the field, Schmitz has built a strong coaching foundation through her work at Impact Fitness Systems Softball, where she has developed athletes' pitching, hitting, and fielding skills through both individual and group instruction. She also brings valuable mentorship experience from SUNY Geneseo's Student-Athlete Mentor Program, guiding peers in balancing academics and athletics. Schmitz holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in human development and is currently pursuing post-baccalaureate studies in communication disorders, with plans to earn a master's degree in speech-language pathology.

Schmitz says, "I'm incredibly excited to continue my journey in college athletics as the new Assistant Coach for D'Youville Softball! I look forward to supporting our student-athletes both on and off the field, contributing to the program's success, and being a positive presence in the Saints community. Go Saints!"