ERIE, Pa. – Gannon University softball coach Michelle Wiley today announced the addition of Conchetta Rinaldi as assistant coach. Rinaldi replaces Taylor Welch, who was named the head coach at the University of Charleston (W.Va.).
“I am extremely excited to have Conchetta join our staff,” related Wiley. “She brings five years of playing experience from Youngstown State University where she was a starter for all her years there and also a leader behind the plate. She will be able to bring her expertise in catching to our staff and help in a variety of other areas as well. Conchetta is extremely passionate about softball and is committed to supporting our players’ holistic development both on and off the field.”
Rinaldi joins a Gannon program that finished with a 32-15 record while qualifying for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional.
Gannon’s new assistant coach completed her playing career at Youngstown State this past spring. A native of Youngstown and former standout at Cardinal Mooney High School, she appeared in 224 games for the Penguins from 2020-24, mainly at catcher, with 217 starts. She finished with a .269 career batting average with 10 home runs and 104 RBIs. She added 31 doubles. She was also a standout defensively, showing a career .988 fielding percentage with just 18 errors in 1,545 career chances.
Rinaldi enjoyed her best season as a senior, hitting .329 in 51 games with 49 starts. The right-handed hitter had 48 hits in 146 at bats while driving in 29 runs. She had nine doubles and a home run. She helped the Penguins finish with a 36-18 record, winning the Horizon League’s regular-season title. In 2022 Rinaldi hit. 271 with 6 HRs and a career-best 32 RBIs. She ranked third in the Horizon League in RBIs, sixth in doubles and ninth in home runs.
