SOFTBALL: Van Nostrand Hired as Pacific Lutheran Softball Coach

Erin Van Nostrand, who averaged more than 25 wins per season in her four years as head coach at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., has been named softball head coach at Pacific Lutheran University.

“We are pleased to have Erin join our coaching staff,” PLU athletic director Laurie Turner said. “She is an energetic and passionate individual who has had success at the Division III level as a head coach. We believe that she will continue to grow the outstanding tradition of the PLU softball program.”

Van Nostrand led Pine Manor College, like PLU an NCAA Division III institution, to a 31-11 overall record and to the 2008 Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship. The 31 wins tied a school record for most victories in a season. The Gators reached the GNAC tournament championship game where they lost to Rivier College, 2-1, denying them the opportunity to advance to NCAA Division III postseason play.

In four seasons as Pine Manor College head coach, Van Nostrand compiled a 101-62 overall record, leading the Gators to one GNAC tournament title game and to a pair of semifinal appearances.

In addition to serving as Pine Manor softball coach, Van Nostrand also served as the school’s sports information director.

Prior to working at Pine Manor, Van Nostrand was varsity softball coach at Freeport (N.Y.) High School, inheriting a 0-22 program and turning it into conference champion within two years.

Van Nostrand graduated from Keene State College in Keene, N.H., in 1999. She was Keene State’s starting shortstop for three seasons, helping the school to a NCAA Division III softball regional championship appearance, and she also was a two-year member of the school’s basketball team.

Van Nostrand, 31, takes over for Rick Noren, who resigned following 14 seasons to become athletic director at Life Christian Academy in Tacoma. Noren compiled a 402-145-1 overall record and led the Lutes to eight Northwest Conference titles and to eight national tournament appearances with three top-five finishes.

- PLU -