Softball has always been more than just a game to me.
I started coaching because of my passion for softball and my belief that what you put into the game is often what you get out of it. The lessons learned through the process — discipline, confidence, resilience, accountability, and growth — extend far beyond the field.
Over the years, coaching has become about much more than developing hitters. It has become about helping athletes grow into confident competitors and strong young women both on and off the field.
At TCH2HIT, I believe the game teaches life skills that athletes will carry with them far beyond softball. The game teaches us how to respond to adversity, communicate effectively, stay accountable, trust the process, work through failure, and continue showing up even when things feel difficult.
One of the biggest things I wish athletes understood is the importance of learning with intention. I encourage athletes to ask questions, seek clarity, and stay curious throughout their development. Growth happens when athletes feel comfortable enough to learn, fail, adjust, and continue showing up.
I’ve worked to create an environment where athletes know:
- they are not alone in their struggles
- failure is part of development
- accountability matters
- work ethic matters
- confidence is built through
- preparation and consistency
- perfection is not the goal
What matters most is how we respond to challenges, process feedback, and continue growing through the ups and downs of the game.
My coaching philosophy blends mechanics, mindset, measurable feedback, and relationship-based coaching to help athletes better understand their swing while building confidence both on and off the field.
Using technology like Blast Motion, HitTrax, K-Motion, and video analysis, athletes receive individualized feedback that helps them better understand movement patterns, swing efficiency, and long-term development.
But beyond the data and technology, connection matters most.
I want every athlete who walks into TCH2HIT to feel supported, challenged, encouraged, and confident in who they are becoming throughout their journey.
Throughout my coaching career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with athletes at multiple levels of the game and help players continue on to collegiate softball programs across the country. While I’m proud of those accomplishments, what matters most to me is the impact made throughout the development process and the relationships built along the way.
Because great hitters are not built through perfection —
they are built through consistency, trust, resilience, and intentional work.
The relationships built through coaching are one of the most rewarding parts of what I do, and I’m grateful to be a part of each athlete’s journey while helping them grow with confidence both on and off the field.
Coaching Experience & Athlete Development
Coach Dawn has spent years developing softball athletes through individualized instruction, collegiate-level coaching experience, and long-term athlete development.
Her coaching background combines:
- collegiate coaching experience
- private hitting instruction
- mental performance integration
- technology-based athlete development
- relationship-based coaching
As a Hall of Fame athlete and experienced instructor, Dawn is passionate about helping athletes grow with confidence both on and off the field.
Throughout her coaching career, athletes she has worked with have continued on to compete at collegiate softball programs across the country at multiple levels of the game.
Using tools like Blast Motion, HitTrax, K-Motion, and video analysis, athletes receive measurable feedback designed to support long-term development, confidence, and consistency.
More Than Just Hitting Lessons
At TCH2HIT, development goes beyond mechanics.
Athletes are trained through individualized instruction, measurable feedback, movement efficiency, mental performance training, and relationship-based coaching.
The goal is to help athletes build confidence, consistency, and understanding both on and off the field.
Because softball teaches more than performance — it teaches life skills.
Past and Current Students…
Class of 2004
University of Redlands – Lizzet Casillas (Diamond Ranch)
Class of 2007
Biola University – Kristin Larson (Arrowhead Christian Academy)
Biola University – Leslie Larson (Arrowhead Christian Academy)
Class of 2008
Pacific University – Lauren Tuey (Redlands)
Class of 2009
Southern Utah University – Katie Olinger (Yucipa)
Class of 2010
Concordia University (Irvine) – Rachel Prentice (Upland)
University of Louisville – Kentucky – Katelyn Mann (Los Osos)
Dominican University – Paige Berzak (Pacifica)
Utah State University – Sam Miller (Arcadia)
Class of 2011
Indiana University – Bri Meyer (Los Osos)
Grand Canyon University – Kelsey Barak (Etiwanda)
Caldwell College – Alyssa Calderon (Etiwanda)
Iowa Western – Vanessa Molina (South Hills)
Briar Cliff – Taylor Garcia (Baldwin Park)
Class of 2012
University of Nevada – Amanda Weis (Redlands)
BYU – Marissa Bravo (Roosevelt)
Caldwell College – Rachel Berzak (Pacifica)
University of Washington – Melissa Taukeiaho (Etiwanda)
Chico State University – Desi Gonzalez (Etiwanda)
Alabama State University – Ashley Cardiel (Rancho Cucamonga)
Class of 2013
University of Texas – Arlington – Angelica Nino (Silverado)
Northwood University – Alyssa Cabral (Citrus Valley)
Iowa Western – Amanda Wightman (Los Osos)
Southeastern Iowa – Melanie Villa (Redlands East Valley)
Fairliegh Dickinson University- Alex Portesi (Don Lugo)
San Marcos – Stacey Vargas (Rancho Cucamonga)
Howard University – Lauren Castellanos (Los Osos)
Howard University – Tara Castellanos (Los Osos)
Oklahoma Panhandle State University – Salina Galindo (Chino)
Linfield College – Mikaela Viloria (El Modena)
Riverside City College – Tiff Kuhr (Colton)
Class of 2014
University of Tennessee – Chattanooga – Kailey Palazzolo (Don Lugo)
Concordia University (Irvine) – Lori Brown (Riverside Poly)
Campbell University – Melissa Tullar (Los Osos)
Long Beach State University – Irma Sanchez (Los Osos)
University of Pacific – Marissa Young (Los Osos)
Caldwell College – Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda)
Rider University – Toni Nino (Silverado)
Wilmington University – Monique Rojas (Jurupa) San Diego Christian University – Maritza Martinez (Rancho Cucamonga)
Class of 2015
Biola University – Marissa Reyes (South Hills)
Class of 2016
Oklahoma University – Vanessa Taukieaho (Etiwanda) UC Santa Barbara – Felicia Noriega (Etiwanda)
Experience
High School / College Coaching Experience
Assistant Varsity Coach Rosary High School, Fullerton 2010 – 2012
Head Coach Cal State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino 2002 – 2005
Varsity Head Coach St. Lucy’s Priory High School, Glendora 2002 season
Batting Instructor TCH2HIT, Rancho Cucamonga 2001 – current
Assistant Coach Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 2000 – 2001
Assistant Coach Azusa Pacific University, Azusa 1999 – 2000
Assistant Varsity Coach Rosary High School, Fullerton 1998 – 1999
Travelball Experience
Assistant Coach Strike Force 18U Gold-Guerra, Huntington Beach 2009 – current
Assistant Coach Softball University Force, Rancho Cucamonga 2008 – 2009
Assistant Coach American Pastime 18U-Zerkle, Rancho Cucamonga 2002 – 2007
Assistant Coach Tuff-e-Nuff, Walnut 1998 – 2000
Coaching Experience Recognition:
Azusa Pacific University – 2000
NAIA Coaching Staff of the Year
NAIA National Runner-Up
Regional Champions
GSAC Champions
Rosary High School
1998 – CIF Sem-Finals
Golden West League – 2nd place
1997 – CIF Runner-up
Golden West League Champions
Women’s Division:
Women’s Open B All-tournament (98)
Azusa Pacific University:
First Cougar to receive All-GSAC recognition all 4 years:
First Team (97,95,94), Second Team (96)
NFCA First Team (97)
NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team (97)
GSAC Player of the Week (95)
Hall of Fame Inductee (13)
Interesting Facts while at APU:
13-game hitting streak (97)
25 multi-hit games (97)
2 10-game hitting streaks (96)
23 multi-hit games (96)
22 game hitting streak (95)
25 multi-hit games (95)
Career Batting average .405
Struck out 19 times in 794 plate appearances
As of January 2013 Dawn still holds the following records at APU:
Highest Batting Average:
.405 1994-97, 279-for-689
Most At-Bats:
689 1994-97
Most Hits:
279 1994-97
Hitting Streaks:
22 games
Bishop Amat High School:
4 year letterwinner
Most Valuable Player (93)
First Team All-Del Rey League (93)
First Team All-San Gabriel Valley (93)
First Team All-CIF Div II (93)
CIF Div II Runner-Ups
Honorable Mention All-SGV (92)
Second Team All-Del Rey League (91)
Most Improved Player (91)
Hall Of Fame Inductee