When she played college softball, AnnaMarie Gatti was known as a drop-ball pitcher, one who could induce ground ball outs to stifle opposing rallies.
But now that she has entered the coaching ranks, the former WPIAL star is on the rise.
Gatti, an overpowering pitcher at Greensburg Central Catholic before playing at Syracuse, has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach at St. Francis (Pa.).
She had served as a graduate assistant for about a season and a half, working with Red Flash pitchers.
The 2020 season was cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Gatti will get to work with her sister, Sophia, a Southmoreland graduate who will be a freshman pitcher at SFU next season.
We are thrilled to elevate @Crambby to a full-time assistant/pitching coach after she did an incredible job the last two years as a graduate assistant. Congrats AnnaMarie!https://t.co/MNWSmV3unW pic.twitter.com/NPG9H9l1WR
— Saint Francis U SB (@RedFlashSB) July 2, 2020
“AnnaMarie is one of the best people and coaches that I have ever been around in the game of softball,” St. Francis coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “Her experiences as a student-athlete at Syracuse and a graduate assistant at Saint Francis have prepared her for this opportunity 100%. Her work ethic is second to none. … I’m excited for our student-athletes to continue to learn from such a high-caliber person, coach and leader.”
St. Francis won its third straight Northeast Conference title last season.
After a stellar career at Syracuse, Gatti was drafted by the Future 1s in the fourth round of the 2018 American Softball Association Draft and had a short stint as a pro pitcher.
