SAN DIEGO – Aztecs head softball coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz has announced the hiring of Kendall Fearn as an assistant coach. A former two-time All-Mountain West selection as a player at UNLV, Fearn comes to The Mesa from Indiana (IU), where she has been an associate coach for the past five seasons.
"We are excited to welcome Kendall to San Diego," head coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz said. "Kendall brings a wealth of coaching experience with her to SDSU and is a highly regarded teacher of the game and leader in the softball community. She is known for her ability to connect with the student-athlete and is an amazing communicator and mentor. Present and future Aztecs will undoubtedly be made better by her tutelage, and I am honored to have her as part of the Aztec softball family."
Fearn helped guide the Hoosiers to more than 125 wins over five seasons, including a highwater mark of 36 victories during the 2019 campaign. She oversaw all aspects of the Hoosiers' offense and worked with the team's outfielders during her time at IU. During her five seasons, nine players earned first-team or second-team All-Big Ten designation.
"I want to thank Stacey Nuveman Deniz for this amazing opportunity to return to my hometown and join the SDSU Aztec softball family," Fearn said. "I am honored to join a storied program and coach alongside two of the most incredible people and ambassadors in softball. I am looking forward to competing for Mountain West Conference Championships and help our student-athletes achieve their dreams both on and off the field."
In 2022 Indiana posted 27 wins, the fourth time in five seasons that the Hoosiers had won at least 25 games. Four Hoosiers hit at least .300, led by Cora Bassett, who hit .400 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI, and earned first-team All-Big Ten. Additionally, Indiana stole 111 bases, which rank No. 13 nationally, and hit 56 home runs.
During the 2021 season the Hoosiers won or split nine of 12 Big Ten series. Emily Goodin finished with 583 career strikeouts, rankings fourth best in program history, and Gabbi Jenkins set the career record for stolen bases with 96.
In 2020, prior to the cancelation of the rest of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Indiana posted an overall record of 12-9 over 21 games. The Hoosiers won nine of their last 12 ballgames prior to the season's cancelation. IU totaled 138 hits, 90 runs, 75 RBI's and 55 stolen bases in the shortened season. The team ended the year ranked No. 3 nationally in stolen bases per game (2.62) and No. 1 in the Big Ten.
In 2019, Indiana posted its best start in program history (14-0), the best record since 2011 (36-21) and the best non-conference mark since 1986 (26-8). During that season, the Hoosiers earned its first USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll ranking since 1996, and the team also picked up wins over No. 10 LSU and No. 6 Georgia.
During Fearn's first season at Indiana in 2018, IU finished third in the Big Ten, with a 17-6 conference record, and six players hit at least .300 in conference play. The Hoosiers had four players earn first or second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Prior to her time at Indiana, Fearn spent four seasons as an associate coach at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. During her time at Marshall the team posted a .616 winning percentage and she helped guide the Thundering Herd to a .313 team batting average while posting three of the top four scoring seasons in program history. Additionally, Marshall broke its own single-season record for stolen bases three times under Fearn and led the nation twice in stolen bases. Under her leadership, Morgan Zerkle left Marshall as the all-time leader in career batting average (.451), stolen bases (162) and triples (14). In addition, Zerkle was named the 2017 Conference USA Player of the Year, as well as an NFCA All-American.
Fearn joined the Thundering Herd after two seasons coaching at her alma mater, UNLV, and a year at Georgia Southern. At Georgia Southern, she saw the Eagles win the 2013 Southern Conference Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
During her playing career at UNLV, Fearn was a two-time All-Mountain West pick and started 227 games at first and third base. The Carlsbad, Calif. native guided UNLV to a NCAA Regional appearance in 2009.