Saint Leo University head softball coach Erin Kinberger announced the addition of Pat Affrunti to the Lions' coaching staff in August 2014.
Coach Affrunti's responsibilities include assisting Kinberger in both infield and hitting development. Additionally, he also assists in the team's recruiting efforts in the state of Florida as well as nationally.
Affrunti has played a pivotal part of the Green and Gold's defense raising the fielding percentage year after year to one of the best in the Sunshine State Conference. With his help, the Lions have won two Sunshine State Conference titles (2016, 2017), and have advanced to the NCAA Regionals in four straight seasons, including the World Series in 2018, hosting the South 2 Regional in 2017 and the South Super Regional in 2018.
The Saint Leo infield and offense did not disappoint in 2019 and helped pave the way for another postseason run. Before the season started infielder Kacie Kelly was named to the NFCA Top-50 watch list. Infield members Kelly and Kendyl Crean finished the year picking up All-Sunshine State Conference honors. Kelly also was named to the NFCA All-South Region team again her Junior year. The Lions led the conference in several offensive categories and proved once again they were a threat at the plate.
The 2018 season was a great year for the Lions! Brittany Creamer, Ashley Morris and Kacie Kelly dominated in the Lions' infield as all were named to the All-SSC teams while helping the Lions compile a .972 fielding percentage which put them 2nd in the conference by .003%. Kelly also went on to win NFCA All-South Region Honors. Saint Leo went to the post season once again in 2018 winning their Regional, Super Regional and coming in tied for 3rd in the NCAA d2 National Championship. Ashley Morris finished the World Series making the All-Tournament team. To close out the year Coach Affrunti and the rest of the Lion's staff were named NFCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
In 2017, Affrunti saw SSC Freshman of the Year honors come to his infielder for the second straight season where freshman Kacie Kelly was honored with the accolade following her stellar first season with the Lions. Kelly was also named the SSC Player of the Year while she was joined by Ciera Schumaker on the All-SSC First Team following the season. Affrunti saw Kacie Kelly earn All-America honors from the NFCA and D2CCA while she was also named to both All-South Region teams. Kelly was named one of eight finalists for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Freshman of the Year as the South representative. Affrunti saw his infield commit the third lowest errors in the SSC (43) for the season. Offensively the Lions led the SSC in batting average (.321), runs scored (297), and on-base percentage (.401) where he saw the hitters hit 75 doubles, 15 triples and 17 home runs.
Affrunti helped guide the Lions to their second straight SSC title with a 17-7 record and head into the NCAA postseason for the second straight season. Saint Leo hosted the NCAA South Region 2, marking the first time in program history to host a regional.
In 2016 Coach Affrunti once again saw his infielders take home All-SSC honors as every member of the infield was awarded that distinguished honor. The infield group also led the SSC in fewest errors allowed (35) for the season. Offensively Saint Leo once again led the conference in highest batting average (.323), the fewest number of strikeouts (115 out of 1195 chances) and was second in on-base percentage. Affrunti guided freshman Brooke Samios-Uy to Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year honors at second base.
Following the 2015 season, Affrunti saw two of his infielders earn All-SSC honors. Saint Leo also finished the season ranked first in the SSC in scoring (5.39), stolen bases per game (1.96), triples per game (0.27), and win percentage (0.765). Offensively Affrunti along with the other coaches in their first year, helped the Lions improve from the previous season in wins, batting average, runs scored, doubles and home runs. The Lions also reduced their strikeout total from the prior year.
Affrunti started his softball career coaching travel ball for the past 16 years. His Clearwater Lady Bombers Gold team has received national recognition and placed first in many national events. Affrunti has also coached at the high school level, starting at Sickles High School in Tampa. He helped lead a Gryphon team to two Regional Final appearances while compiling an overall record of 46-10. After two years in Tampa, Affrunti took a position at East Lake High School, closer to his home. During his one year at East Lake, he helped lead the Eagles to a 29-1 season and a Final Four appearance.
After three years at the high school level, Affrunti was given his first opportunity in the college ranks landing at SSC foe Eckerd College where he remained for the past three seasons. While at Eckerd he served as the Tritons infield and hitting instructor and was the team's recruiting coordinator. Coach Affrunti helped the Tritons accumulate 59 wins in that three-year span, which was a school record. He also helped the Tritons reach many milestones including their first winning season in the programs 20 plus season history and two infielders landing all-region honors for the very first time in school history.
Coach Affrunti lives in Dunedin, Florida with his wife, Tracy, and their two children, Bailee, 23, and Austin, 16.
