Dorsal Promoted To Full-Time Assistant Coach

Dorsal Promoted To Full-Time Assistant Coach

Former University of Southern Indiana Softball standout MacKenzi Dorsam ’15 has been added to Head Coach Sue Kunkle’s coaching staff as a full-time assistant. Dorsam, who served as a graduate assistant coach for the Screaming Eagles in 2016, will assist Kunkle in all aspects of the USI Softball program.

In addition to Dorsam, Kunkle has added former Truman State University standout Cate Simon as a graduate assistant on her 2017 coaching staff, while former USI standout pitcher Brooke Harmening ’15 will stay on as a volunteer assistant coach after getting a full time job with the Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation.

“I have already seen great things from this staff during the fall with practices, in-game coaching, recruiting, clinics, office management, and team functions,” Kunkle said. “We are looking forward to an exciting year.”

Dorsam, a two-time All-American as well as a first-team Academic All-American, concluded her four-year career ranked first all-time at USI in walks (82), second in runs scored (142), third in home runs (24) and fourth in RBIs (126).

Her 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 2015 were the second-most in a single-season in program history.

The 2015 GLVC Player of the Year as well as the Daktronics Midwest Region Player of the Year, Dorsam had a knack for reaching base throughout her career. She reached base safely in 163 of 188 career games, including 128 of 146 games in her final three seasons.

A native of Dubois, Indiana, Dorsam earned her bachelor’s degree in health services from USI in 2015. She continues to work on her master’s degree in sport management at USI.

“MacKenzi was meant to be a coach,” Kunkle said. “Her knowledge of the game is tremendous. She has grown remarkably as a coach and recruiter in the last year after beginning her career as graduate assistant.

“She has been around this program for a long time and has really made Evansville her home,” Kunkle continued. “MacKenzi is invested and dedicated to making our players excel and continue our winning tradition.”

Simon graduated from Truman this past May after earning first-team All-GLVC and second-team All-Midwest Region honors as a junior in 2014.

After injury kept her out of the 2015 campaign, Simon returned to the diamond as a red-shirt senior in 2016 to earn third-team All-GLVC honors. A career-.345 hitter, Simon finished her career at Truman with 36 home runs and 107 RBIs. She had a career year in 2014, when she hit .389 with 10 doubles, 12 home runs and 39 RBIs.

Off the field, Simon served as the Chair of the Athletic Fee Accountability Committee at Truman for three years. She also assisted the coaching staff in 2016 with opponent scouting reports.

A native of O’Fallon, Missouri, Simon earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Truman in 2016. She is currently working on her master’s degree in sport management at USI.

“We are excited to welcome Cate to our staff,” Kunkle said. “She has already brought some new ideas to make our program stronger and has a great feel for the game and knowledge that will be utilized in all aspects of our program.”

Harmening, a four-time All-GLVC honoree, finished her career ranked first all-time at USI in career wins (74), innings pitched (796.1) and strikeouts (642). She also tied for first all-time at USI with two career no-hitters and finished fourth all-time at USI with 19 career shutouts.

At the plate, Harmening ranked second all-time at USI in doubles (47) and home runs (25), and tied for second in RBIs (127).

Harmening’s efforts in the pitcher’s circle helped the Eagles advance to the NCAA II Midwest Region Tournament twice during her four-year career.

A native of Whiteland, Indiana, Harmening earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, with a minor in nutrition, from USI in 2015. She also continues to work on her master’s degree in sport management from USI.

“Having Brooke back on staff as a volunteer this season has been great,” Kunkle said. “With such a young and talented pitching staff, we can utilize Brooke’s expertise throughout the season.”