(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Softball Head Coach Morgan Zerkle announced the additions of Riley Blampeid, Olivia Bruno, and Drew Calloway to the Thundering Herd coaching staff.
“I am excited to welcome some amazing people to our program who have a strong passion to coach, and I know they can’t wait to experience how special Marshall University is,” Zerkle said. “Drew has learned from one of the best pitching minds in the country and will be crucial in continuing to develop our bullpen. Riley, an amazing player herself, will bring versatility to our coaching staff, just as she has on the field, and Olivia, a high level two-way player will be able to help out in every area, as well.”
Blampied, a 2024 graduate of the University of South Carolina, had a successful academic and athletic career for the Gamecocks. She was a two-time CSC Academic All-District member while becoming the 11th player in South Carolina history to drive in 100 RBI and score 100 runs. The native of Cordele, Georgia most recently served as a graduate assistant at her alma mater. She is currently playing professionally with the New York Rise professional softball team.
Bruno will serve as a graduate assistant for the Herd, with her playing career ending with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2025. The two-way player from Topeka, Kansas was a Second Team All-Big 12 honoree, leading the team with a 2.91 ERA while also knocking 45 hits in 2025.
Calloway will serve as the Herd’s pitching coach, coming to Marshall from his hometown Arizona Wildcats. The former collegiate baseball pitcher was a graduate assistant in 2025, branching from Coach Christian Conrad, who has served with USA Softball and Athletes Unlimited. Arizona posted a team ERA of 2.60 in 2025, second best in the Big 12.
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