FORMER GC&SU PLAYER NAMED MERCER SOFTBALL COACH

MACON, Ga.— Mercer head softball coach Mike Raynor has announced the addition of former Georgia College & State University standout Joni Frei to his coaching staff as the first full-time assistant in program history.

Frei will serve primarily as the recruiting coordinator, hitting instructor and outfield coach.

"Joni is an excellent addition to our program and our needs in moving to the next level in our conference," said Raynor. "She brings with her a great attitude, excellent playing and coaching experiences and an ability to relate to student-athletes in a positive and promoting manner. She is an outstanding young lady with great people and coaching skills, and I believe our players and our program will benefit from her style of coaching."

Frei, a native of Kelowna , British Columbia , played shortstop and centerfield for four seasons at GCSU from 2000-2004.

While at GCSU, she was a three-time All-Peach Belt Conference selection and was named to the all-region team in 2002 and 2003.

Frei led the Lady Bobcats to regional and national championship appearances in 2002 and 2003, where she was named to the all-tournament team.

During her senior season, GCSU was the NCAA Division II national runner-up, the best finish in school history.

She still holds records at GCSU for career home runs (24), runs (152), doubles (40) and total bases (306). She also owns the school mark for single-season walks at 31.

While finishing her studies at GCSU, Frei took her first coaching job at Georgia Military College , where she served as the assistant coach for the Bulldogs.

Upon graduation from GCSU, Frei spent a season with the Dutch Professional Softball League in the summer of 2005, and then served as a graduate assistant coach at Atlantic Sun foe Kennesaw State from 2005-06 where she worked with the hitters and served as the outfield coach.

The Owls finished 2005 as the NCAA Division II national runner-up with a 57-13 record.

The following year, KSU made its way into the Division I ranks, finishing second in the A-Sun regular-season standings with a 15-5 conference record.

Frei spent last season serving as an assistant coach at NAIA Reinhardt College in Waleska , Ga.

The Lady Eagles finished with a 35-21 overall record and were ranked 30th in the final poll.

Frei coached First-Team All-American Melissa Peters, who also earned the Region XIII and Southern States Athletic Conference's Player of the Year awards.

Frei graduated in 2005 from GCSU with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education and received her master's in public administration from Kennesaw State in May.

Source: Mercer University Sports Information