LA JOLLA, Calif. – Patti Gerckens, in her 29th year at the helm of the UC San Diego softball program, announced changes to the coaching staff for the upcoming 2021 season.
In early August,
Cristina Byrne was promoted to associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, while
Christina Washington joined as an assistant coach.
During the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Byrne worked closely with the hitters, leading the Tritons to a team batting average of .311. She also assisted in pitch calling, in which UC San Diego's pitchers navigated a combined ERA of 1.75. Both statical categories ranked second in the CCAA.
Byrne marked her third stint at UC San Diego after being named an assistant in 2019. The veteran coach was also part of the Tritons' staff during the 2003-05 seasons, as well as the 2007 campaign when the staff was named California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Coaching Staff of the Year.
Byrne carries a handful of Division I coaching experience including time spent at San Diego State (2016-18) and UC Davis (2015-16).
"Coach Byrne continues to do so much for us," said Gerckens. "She brings such great knowledge of the game to our scholar-athletes, great communication and a calmness within her."
In addition to Byrne's honor, the hire of Washington completes the program's current staff.
Washington comes to La Jolla from Cal State Fullerton where she served as a volunteer assistant pitching coach for nearly two years (2019-20). In her first year a part of the Titans' staff, Washington contributed to the program's fourth-straight regular season Big West Conference Title.
"We are looking forward to having Coach Washington evaluate our incoming talent, as well as improve our current pitchers," Gerckens said. "She will provide a fresh set of eyes for everyone and help make us better all around. She is ready to learn, very organized and has shown excitement, which is exactly what we want on the staff."
Throughout her playing career, Washington spent time at two notable institutions: Cal State Fullerton (2014-16) and Boise State (2017).
Washington transferred to Boise State her senior season, graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication. The Inglewood, Calif. native left a mark on the Broncos' softball record books. The former left-handed pitcher is currently listed first for most shutouts (5) and third for most wins (16) in a single season.
Upon guiding Boise State to its first post-season appearance in 2017, she earned the team's Most Valuable Player award. She also recorded the first
perfect game in Boise State history.
As a student-athlete for the Titans, Washington was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team. In her rookie campaign, she appeared in 36 games, 17 which she started, and compiled a record of 12-6 in the circle. She held a team-best ERA of 3.56 with four complete games and 55 strikeouts. In 2016, Washington secured the first of Fullerton's four-peat in Big West Conference Championships, this time as a player.
"With Coach Washington's experience both playing and coaching in Division I and the Big West Conference, she knows what UC San Diego needs to be able to compete at the next level," Gerckens added. "I think she is going to bring that desire and excitement and do a great job teaching our scholar-athletes what it takes to get there."
"I've really enjoyed my time getting to know the coaches, the players and everyone in the [UC San Diego] athletic department," said Washington. "I am looking forward to learning; I am excited to contribute what I already know, but I am also excited to enhance my coaching abilities from the others on the staff. I think we are going to work well together."
On top of Byrne and Washington,
Ray Noelte, in his third year on board, will continue the duties as a volunteer assistant coach, investing invaluable time and effort in metrics, data analytics and more.
In 28 years, Gerckens has accumulated an overall record of 779-611 including 12 30-win seasons and 13 NCAA postseason appearances, becoming the Tritons' winningest coach in program history. She has witnessed UC San Diego transition from Division III to Division II, and now to Division I.
With Gerckens at the forefront, alongside Byrne, Washington, and Noelte, the Triton coaching staff looks to guide the blue and gold to a rewarding year as the institution undergoes its first season in new territory of the Big West Conference.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions III and II and helped guide more than 1,300 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.
