Caitlin Blanchard has been named Lourdes University's new head softball coach, Janet Eaton, Vice President for Athletics, has announced.
 
Blanchard becomes just the second head coach in the Gray Wolves' softball program history.
 
"I am extremely excited to welcome Caitlin Blanchard as our new head coach of softball," Eaton stated.  "She has a very impressive softball background and will bring new energy as the second head coach of the program.  Coach Blanchard's connections in the region will bring top talent to Lourdes athletics."
 
Blanchard arrives at Lourdes from the University of Illinois at Springfield, where she was an assistant coach for the Prairie Stars the last three seasons.  She helped guide UIS to a pair of Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament appearances and a NCAA Division II regional tournament appearance in 2019.  She coached six GLVC All-Conference players and one student-athlete earned NFCA Midwest All-Region accolades.
 
Blanchard was a graduate assistant at Black Hills State University in South Dakota for two years prior to Illinois-Springfield.  She was the head coach at Summerfield High School in Michigan in 2016 and an assistant coach at Whiteford High School the previous season.
 
"I am pleased to be joining the Lourdes University athletic department as the head coach for softball," Blanchard said.  "I would like to thank athletic director Janet Eaton, associate athletic director Jo Ann Gordon, and the members of the selection committee for affording me the opportunity to join the Gray Wolf community.  I look forward to building upon the history and traditions of the Lourdes softball program while developing a competitive and fun team atmosphere."
 
During her own collegiate playing career, Blanchard was a catcher and first baseman at the University of Michigan from 2011-2014, where she helped the Wolverines win four Big Ten championships.  A two-time All-Big Ten honoree (2011, 2013), she was a Second Team All-Region selection in 2013 and a Third Team All-Region performer as a senior.  She was a member of the Michigan team that advanced to the Women's College World Series in 2013.
 
Originally from Petersburg, Mich., Blanchard is a 2014 graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in history.