BEAUMONT, Texas – Demi Laney, who spent the last two seasons as pitching coach for the Lamar University softball team while pursuing a master's degree, has been promoted to full-time assistant coach, LU softball coach Holly Bruder announced.
 
"We interviewed a number of candidates and we definitely felt that Demi was the best," Bruder said. "She did a great job in helping Ciara Luna develop into an all-conference pitcher. She made our entire pitching staff better."
 
Bruder, who in five years has turned the fledgling LU program into one that receives national recognition, is happy that she was able to add a second full-time assistant to the staff. Laney joins assistant coach Allison Honkofsky, who has been with the Cardinals since LU revived the softball program in time for the 2013 season.
 
"I'm excited to remain at Lamar University," Laney said. "I love working with Holly and Allison. I have learned a lot from them. They respect my opinion and have allowed me to contribute to the program."
 
The Cardinals enjoyed their two most successful seasons since Laney joined the staff. In 2016, the Cardinals set a school record with 35 wins and advanced to the finals of the Southland Conference Tournament. LU followed that up in 2017 with 34 wins, advancing to the title game of the National Invitational Softball Championship.
 
The LU pitching staff posted a 2.93 ERA in 2016, the best ERA for the LU pitching staff since softball returned to LU. In 2017, the Cardinals had a 3.03 ERA with a school-record 263 strikeouts.
 
"Our pitching staff has a lot of promise," Laney said. "They have a good work ethic. I believe we gained a lot of confidence by going far in the postseason. Laura Napoli, Julia Voluntad, Anissa Rodriguez and Amie Cisneros all want to get even better. I think our newcomers also show great potential."
 
In addition to her duties with the LU pitching staff, Laney will assist with recruiting and serve as camp director for the LU softball pitching and catching camps.
 
Laney was a four-year standout pitcher at Binghamton University, where she graduated in 2014 with a degree in environmental studies. A two-time all-conference pitcher while at Binghamton, she set the single-season record for strikeouts with 171 and for a career with 460. After graduating from Binghamton, she served as volunteer assistant coach for one year at her alma mater before coming to LU. Laney is expected to receive her master's degree in public administration from Lamar University in the fall of 2018.