Upon her graduation from McMurry in Spring 2019, McMurry Softball head coach David McNally added Rachel Ripley to his staff before the 2020 season.
In the program's short history, Ripley has her name in the record books more than any other softball player. Following two standout years as an all-conference first baseman, Ripley now enters her second season as the hitting coach.
In Ripley's first season as an assistant coach, the War Hawks went off to a record start, opening the season 13-2, 8-1 ASC before the remainder of the season was canceled due to COVID-19. The War Hawks ushered in a new stadium, Edwards Field in February 2020, and posted a 9-1 home record. The 13 wins tied the program record set in 2018.
In her second season as an assistant, McMurry finished with an 18-14 record for its first full winning season in program history. McMurry had six starters batting above .300 with Ripley's guidance.
The War Hawks batted .344 as a team in 15 games with Ripley's help. Additionally, McMurry ranked in the conference top three for batting average, alugging percetage (.533), runs scored (113), home runs (18) and total bases (220), all while having the third-fewest plate appearances in the league.
Read about Rachel Ripley as a player below:
2019 (Senior):
First team All-ASC first baseman...led team in average (.368), runs (32), home runs (8), RBIs (26), total bases (71), walks (20), slugging percentage (.670), on base percentage (.485) and hits (39)...2-for-2 on stolen bases...season best six-game hitting streak...13 multi-hit games...had a home run, three RBIs and three runs in season opening win over Austin College...had two home runs and five RBIs in win over Hardin-Simmons...six multi-RBI games...nine multi-run games...ranked eighth in the ASC in on base percentage...eighth in runs scored and seventh in home runs...tops McM record book in multiple hitting categories in short two year career.
2018 (Junior):
Named NFCA All-West Region after leading the War Hawks in batting average (.395), hits (49), doubles (15), triples (3), home runs (6), runs batted in (38), slugging percentage (.710) on-base percentage (.437) and on base plus slugging percentage (1.147)…second on team with 25 runs scored…named second team All-American Southwest Conference…NCCAA All-Central Region first team honoree and NCCAA Softball-Position Player Student-Athlete of the Week…had a 17-game hit streak, including 14 multi-hit games and eight multi-RBI games…three three-hit games…three steals…five RBIs in a win over Southwestern…four RBIs against both University of Dallas and Belhaven…hit .402 with 13 doubles, four homers and 26 RBIs in conference play.
2017 (Sophomore):
Played one season (utility) at Cisco Junior College … In 54 games played, batted .372 with 13 home runs and 8 doubles … 44 RBI … Scored 31 runs … 8 steals .. A .947 fielding percentage in 190 total chances.
2016 (Freshman):
Played one season (third base) at McLennan Community College … Appeared in 16 games … Hit .529, with 2 homers and 6 RBI … Scored 5 runs … A 1.069 slugging percentage.
High School:
A graduate of Comanche High School (2015) … Coach was Drew Clevenger … A four-year letterwinner … All-district honorable mention and first team all-defensive … All-Big Country honorable mention … Team’s offensive MVP, as well … Also competed in basketball, track and powerlifting for CHS … All-district honorable mention in basketball … Involved in FFA and livestock judging team … Also a cheerleader.
Personal:
Born September 13, 1996 in Weatherford, Texas … Daughter of Randy and Naidene Ripley … Graduated from McMurry in 2019 with a degree in history and a minor in coaching.
