EASTON, Pa. – Kelliner Croushore, who served as Lafayette softball's interim head coach during the 2025 season, has been named the program's permanent head coach.

Croushore initially was hired as an assistant coach in July of 2024 before assuming the interim head coach title the night before the Leopards' spring practices were set to get underway. She coached the team throughout the 2025 campaign.

"Kelliner stepped up to the task when we asked her to take over the head coaching role on an interim basis in January and she guided our program through the spring," said Lafayette Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman. "We can't wait to see what is ahead for Lafayette softball under her leadership."

"I am extremely grateful for the continuous trust and support from Sherryta, the team, and the entire department," Croushore said. "I was excited to see what we could build and accomplish this past season, and I can't wait to see how we continue to grow." 

"?It has been a pleasure to witness how much this team truly loves playing for ?Coach Kelliner. The respect, trust, and joy she brings to the program are undeniable. She's created a culture where athletes feel seen, supported, and inspired — and that's reflected not just in their performance, but in their passion for the game," said Senior Associate Athletic Director and sport supervisor Carly Riepenhoff. "There's no question she's the right person to lead ?our softball program moving forward."

Croushore led the team to its first Patriot League sweep since 2008, coincidentally over her alma mater Holy Cross, and guided the program on its longest win streak since 2017. The Leopards also posted their first conference mercy-rule win since 2018 and showed a four-game improvement in their Patriot League win total.

Offensively, Croushore saw the team batting average jump 51 points from 2024 to 2025 and the team slugging percentage climb 98 points. In conference play, the numbers were even more impressive, as the team batting average increased by 109 points with slugging percentage (139 points) and on-base percentage (118 points) also rising significantly.

Leading the way at the plate was senior Mary Grace O'Neill who was the program's first All-Patriot League First-Team honoree since 2013. O'Neill also garnered Academic All-Patriot League laurels and hit for a .423 season average (third best in a season in Lafayette history and second in the Patriot League in 2025) while also ascending to third on the career steals list.