Lauren Larson has joined the Fredonia softball coaching staff for the 2012-2013 academic year. Larson was a four-year member of the Blue Devils’ softball program, playing third base, outfield and designated player. She received her Bachelors’ degree in Biology, with a dual minor in Chemistry and Public Health in May of 2012. She joins the coaching staff while working towards her Masters’ degree in Biology, doing a thesis program in Muscle Physiology.
Larson will help in all facets of the game, but will focus mostly on hitting and working with select groups of the defense.
As a member of the Fredonia softball team, Larson played mainly third base. She was a member of the SUNYAC All-Academic Team and was First Team All-SUNYAC team as a junior. As a senior, Larson lead the team in RBI (25), slugging percentage (.584), on-base percentage (.500), and batting average (.416). Her batting average was third in the conference.
Larson currently ranks among the Blue Devil career leaders in batting average (.319, 11th), hits (103, eighth), RBI (79, third) and slugging percentage (.471, eighth).
Prior to Fredonia, Larson attended Panama Central High School in Panama, N.Y., playing her six-year career under head coach, Deb Palmer. From 2006-2008, as a pitcher, Larson set numerous season and career marks. She holds records for 226 single-season strikeouts, 698 career strikeouts, career ERA (1.39) and innings pitched (501). As a senior, she was credited with a perfect game. She also spun five career no-hitters.
Larson's name also appears in the New York State Record book with a 19-strikeout game as a senior. At the plate, she was a career .396 hitter. She was First Team Section VI from 2005-2008 and Section VI Pitcher of the Year in 2008. She was named to the All-New York State Team as a junior and a senior.
Larson also played for six years on the local travel team, Chautauqua Crush. In 2006, the Crush won the Niagara Frontier League Playoffs in Buffalo, and finished eighth in the nation at the National Softball Association National Tournament.
