Shippy-Fletcher secures full-time coaching role with Cowgirl Softball

STILLWATER – Vanessa Shippy-Fletcher has been elevated into the role of full-time assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Oklahoma State softball program, it was announced today.

Before her promotion, she was a volunteer assistant for the Cowgirls from 2021-23, focusing primarily on hitting and baserunning and working closely with the OSU outfielders.

"Vanessa is one of the greatest Cowgirls of all time and an easy choice to join our staff," Head Coach Kenny Gajewski said. "She has been relentless in establishing our program in the national spotlight. Nobody is better-suited for this role."

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Shippy-Fletcher has been a fixture at first base coach.

In three years as a volunteer assistant, Shippy-Fletcher helped the Cowgirls to three straight appearances in the NCAA Women's College World Series and helped OSU outfielders to six All-Big 12 and six NFCA All-Region honors.

She was particularly effective in aiding younger players in their transition to the major college level, helping Tallen Edwards to NFCA Freshman All-America honors in 2023 just one year after helping sophomore Katelynn Carwile become the first OSU outfielder since Olympian Jaime Foutch in 1996 to earn All-America honors.

A star in her playing days, Shippy-Fletcher is one of only two three-time All-Americans in Oklahoma State history. She is OSU's only three-time Academic All-American. The Big 12 Player of the Year in 2016 and 2018, Shippy-Fletcher finished her career with an impressive .404/.532/.585 slash line and her name remains atop the OSU career records list for runs, doubles, bases on balls and on-base percentage.She played in the National Pro Fastpitch league for one season after graduating from Oklahoma State and served as an assistant coach at Syracuse for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. 

She and her husband Matt have a son, Luke, and a daughter, Hallie.

"Stillwater and OSU Softball are home to us," she said. "My family and I are thankful for the opportunity to continue the work we're doing here with the team we love."