Jessica Butler Joins Softball Program as Full-Time Assistant

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - Head softball coach Monica Harrison is proud to welcome Jessica Butler as a full-time assistant coach for the program.

Butler comes to Pittsburgh from Smith College, where she served as a graduate assistant coach for the softball program for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. A 2023 graduate of Amherst College with a bachelor's degree in biology, Butler completed her master's degree in exercise and sport studies from Smith in 2025.

At Smith, Butler was responsible for bullpen sessions, pitch calling, creating scouting reports, analyzing film, and worked with hitters while also coaching first base during games. In her first season at Smith, Butler helped mentor NEWMAC Player of the Year and NFCA All-Region First Team honoree, Juno Shantz, who hit .459 with 56 hits and 38 RBI. That same season, two other Pioneers, the catcher and a pitcher/utility player, earned all-conference accolades.

Butler's coaching path also included time as an 18-under coach from Polar Crush Softball for a year, helping to develop players who committed to play college ball at all three NCAA Divisions.

While a member of the Amherst softball team, Butler served as a team captain her senior season, was named to the All-NESCAC Second Team in 2021, and earned All-NESCAC Sportsmanship Team honors in 2022. The starting catcher for four seasons, Butler helped the Mammoths win the 2022 NESCAC title and play for the regional title.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Coach Butler to our staff," said Harrison. "Her deep understanding of the game and hands-on approac will immediately strengthen our pullpen and player development. Her NESCAC experience gives her a unique ability to connect with our student-athletes and push our program toward the next level of excellence."