Leigh Ross Named Coach of the Year

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vs NC State5

Mar 29|Final

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vs NC State10

Mar 29|Final

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at Pittsburgh6

Apr 2|Final

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at Pittsburgh6

Apr 3|Final

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at Pittsburgh5

Apr 4|Final

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Apr 10|4 PM

at Boston College

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Apr 11|3 PM

at Boston College

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Apr 12|1 PM

at Boston College

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Apr 15|3 PM

vs Colgate

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Apr 15|5 PM

vs Colgate

Leigh Ross (left) and associate head coach Wally King led the Orange to a 45-13 overall record.

7/1/2011 11:52:45 AM | Softball

Syracuse University head softball coach Leigh Ross and her coaching staff were named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year after leading Syracuse to its best season in program history.

The Orange recorded a 45-13 overall record and closed the regular season riding a program-best 11-game win streak. The win streak reached 15 in the postseason before a loss to No. 18 Texas A&M in the NCAA Regional. Syracuse beat 20th-ranked LSU, 3-0, for the first NCAA Tournament win in program history after advancing to the post-season for the second consecutive year by winning its second straight BIG EAST Tournament Championship.

Playing a key role in the Orange's success this season was 2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA First-Team All-Great Lake Region pitcher Jenna Caira. Caira struck out 321 batters while winning 35 games and allowing just 1.51 earned runs per seven innings.