LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Saint Leo University softball coaching staff was recognized as one of eight programs as selected by their peers as the 2025 ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association announced on Friday. The south region coaches recognized the Saint Leo leadership of Erin Kinberger, Zack Carver, Lexi Carver, and Pat Affrunti as the South Region Coaching Staff of the Year. This recognition marks the second of such occasion for Kinberger and Affrunti as the duo were previously honored as the South Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2018 following the Lions trip to the 2018 NCAA Division II World Series.

Representing each of the NFCA's eight Division II regions, these respective coaching staffs – Shippensburg University (Atlantic), University of Central Oklahoma (Central), Pace University (East), Saginaw Valley State University (Midwest), Saint Leo University (South), University of Texas at Tyler (South Central), Francis Marion University (Southeast) and Western Washington University (West) - are now eligible for the NFCA Division II National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 5.

Regional (respective region only) and National Coaching Staffs of the Year are voted on by NFCA member head coaches.

South – Saint Leo
Head Coach: Erin Kinberger
Assistant Coaches: Zack Carver, Lexi Carver, Pat Affrunti
Steered the Lions to a 40-14 season and the No. 2 seed in the South Region … Reached the 40-win mark for the fourth time in program history, second under Kinberger … Nationally ranked 13^th in the final NFCA/GoRout DII Top 25 Coaches Poll of the regular season, highest ranking of the season … Named Sunshine Conference Coach of the Year after finishing second in the SSC regular season … Engineered a 16-game winning streak after an 8-8 start to the season.