Meet the Coaches

Kari Hoying
Head Coach

Kari Hoying enters her third season as head coach for the Muskingum University softball program.

Hoying, who previously served as assistant coach for the Muskies under the guidance of the late legendary coach Donna Newberry, was an integral part of Muskingum’s success on the diamond. In 2009, she helped lead the Muskies into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 and into the Ohio Athletic Conference Softball Tournament. In 2010, Hoying once again aided in leading the Muskies to the OAC Tournament, which included Muskingum beating the fourth-ranked team in the nation.

Hoying, who was a standout catcher during her collegiate tenure at Muskingum, powered the Muskies to an average of 40 wins per season and a .875 winning percentage in OAC play. She ended her stellar career as a two-time NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-American, two-time Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year and four-time first team all-league honoree. She helped lead the nationally-ranked Muskies to four OAC Championships, three NCAA Regional Championships and three appearances in the NCAA Division III World Series. Hoying set the school record for hits in a season with 82 in 2006 and concluded her Muskingum tenure with a career .427 batting average. She received Academic All-OAC and ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District IV accolades.

Hoying graduated from Muskingum in 2008 with a B.A. in health/physical education. She completed her M.A.E. in adult education from Muskingum in 2010.

Alyssa Kelley
Assistant Coach

Alyssa Kelley enters her first season as assistant coach for the Muskingum University softball program.

Kelley arrived in New Concord after a standout four-year career at the University of Ashland. In 2012, Kelley was named First Team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and First Team All-Region, while leading the league with a .430 batting average.  Throughout her tenure as an Eagle, Kelly was a four-time all-league honoree and amassed a career .383 batting average with 132 RBIs, 52 doubles and nine home runs.  She helped lead Ashland to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.  Furthermore, Kelley was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete and was a member of the Dean’s List.

Kelley also served as the head coach for the MC Madness Softball 16U squad and has worked as a coach at various Ashland University softball camps.

Kelley received her bachelor’s degree in science in education from Ashland in 2012.

Steve Cowgill
Assistant Coach

Steve Cowgill enters his second season as assistant coach for the Muskingum University softball program.

Cowgill arrived at Muskingum after previously serving as assistant softball coach at John Glenn High School from 1997-2012.  During that span, Cowgill helped guide John Glenn to over 360 wins, 10 Regional appearances and two State appearances. From 2004-12 he also was a a member of the State Softball Coaches Association Executive Board of Ohio, which is responsible for State Clinics and the Underclass Tournament.

Additionally, Cowgill served as Vice President (2004-09) of the East District High School Softball Coaches Association of Ohio and President (2009-12) of the East District. From 1993-1997 he was associated with the Road Runner Softball program.

Ashley Price
Pitching Coach

Ashley Price enters her first season as pitching coach for the Muskingum University softball program.

Price was a standout pitcher and designated player during her four-year career at Muskingum. In 2012, Price was an All-Ohio Athletic Conference and All-Great Lakes Region honoree. She ended her tenure in the pitching circle with 23 career wins and 128 strikeouts. At the plate, Price was a career .303 hitter.

Price graduated from Muskingum in 2012 with a B.A. in child and family studies.