MOBILE, Ala. – (May 17, 2022) The Spring Hill College (SHC) Department of Athletics and Athletic Director Joe Niland have announced the promotion of assistant coach Hanna Lythberg to the position of softball head coach.

Lythberg joined the Badger Softball staff in January 2021 as pitching coach under recently retired head coach Steve Kittrell. During the past two seasons, the Badgers have built a 41-29 overall record and a 16-3 mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). In 2022, sophomore Alexandra Ballester (13-7, 1 save) was a 1^st team member of the All-Conference team at starting pitcher while Paityn Desormeaux (10-5, 1 save) was named the SIAC Relief Pitcher of the Year.

"Hanna has demonstrated the maturity and leadership needed to be a head coach at the collegiate level," Niland said. "During her time here at SHC, Hanna has been active not only coaching softball, but has willingly taken on other administrative duties. Her work ethic and can-do attitude has been a real asset to our department. I look forward to her building on the foundation Coach Kittrell has laid as a NCAA DII program."

During her two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Fla., Lythberg developed pitcher Autumn Greene who earned 1^st team All-Conference honors in 2019 after setting a school record for the most wins (22) and shutouts (6) in a single season. Her staff also accumulated the most strikeouts in program history (180) in 2019.

"I am extremely excited to be named the next softball head coach at Spring Hill following Coach Kittrell's mentorship," Lythberg said. "I would like to thank Spring Hill's Athletic Director Joe  Niland and Deputy Athletic Director Chad Leblanc for this incredible opportunity and for entrusting me to lead these young student athletes. Spring Hill really is a special place and has a long rich history. I am truly humbled and honored to be a part of Badger Nation and look forward to leading these young women with integrity, class and the utmost humility."

In addition to her coaching duties, Lythberg also will continue in her dual role as the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for SHC Athletics. The SWA is the highest-ranking female involved in the management of an institution's intercollegiate athletics program. The intent of the SWA designation is to promote meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of college sports.

Kittrell gave his full support to his successor and protégé, saying, "I am so excited for Hanna to have this opportunity. She is a tremendous coach and more than ready to take this position and the responsibility that goes with it. She knows more than just the pitching aspect of the game. She is great with hitting and fielding, as well. She is going to be a great asset for Spring Hill."

Prior to her years at Keiser, Lythberg spent two years teaching first grade while working with various travel softball teams. She also assisted at Harper College while providing private coaching and team lessons.

Lythberg started her collegiate career at Valdosta State University in Georgia before transferring to Winona State University in Minnesota for three seasons. In her time at Winona State, she earned numerous awards including; NSIC Newcomer of the Year, and was a three-time All-Region and All-Conference pitcher. In the circle, she posted a 78-28 record with 496 strikeouts, 83 complete games, 18 shutouts, and 2 no-hitters.

A native of Mt. Prospect, Ill., Lythberg graduated cum laude from Winona State in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Teaching. At Keiser, she earned a Master's degree summa cum laude in Organizational Leadership.