RUSTON - Louisiana Tech head coach Mark Montgomery announced that he has promoted Emerald Doria to his top assistant coach and completed his coaching staff with the addition of Meagan Pearson.

The moves follow the resignation of assistant coach Jeannie Murphy, who spent the past five years as Montgomery's No. 1 assistant at Northern Colorado and Louisiana Tech.

Doria, who is entering her second year on Montgomery's staff at Louisiana Tech, will continue to handle the Lady Techster infielders and assist with hitting. The former Centenary star will now oversee the video editing aspect of the program while also becoming more involved in recruiting.

"Promoting Emerald to this position was a no brainer," Montgomery said. "During the past 18 months on staff, she has not only met every expectation I had for her but she has exceeded them. It wasn't a matter of making an easy move. It was a matter of making the right move. She has earned the promotion."

Pearson joins the LA Tech Family after a collegiate playing career at Tennessee Tech and Louisiana College. The former North DeSoto High School prep star will work with the Lady Techster catchers and outfielders while also assisting with hitting, game scouting, travel and recruiting.

"I recruited Meagan to go to Centenary when I was coaching there," Montgomery said. "She was a very talented player, and I knew she always had aspirations of coaching. She is a very impressive young lady who has great knowledge of the game. She was my No. 1 choice for the position, and we are thrilled she is part of our program."

Following her high school career at North DeSoto where she was named the district player of the year as a senior, Pearson signed at Tennessee Tech where she played her freshman season. She then transferred to Louisiana College in the summer of 2011 and lettered her final three years for the Wildcats, playing catcher and shortstop.

Pearson led LC to the regionals in 2012 and ended her college career ranked in the top four in Louisiana College history in home runs (20), batting average, slugging percentage and fielding percentage. As a senior she batted .500 with 41 hits, 11 doubles, six home runs and 36 RBI despite having her season cut short with a knee injury.

She was named first team all-American Southwest Conference in 2014 while earning the league's Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year award.

Pearson served as the head coach at University Academy of Cenla in Pineville this past fall and helped lead the first year program to the district title and regionals of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) tournament. She has also coached travel ball teams for the past three years, including Team TFS (12U) this past year.