Shelby Hiers enters her second season as an assistant coach on the Lady Techster staff.
Hiers’ impact on the Tech program was felt immediately, as she helped guide the Lady Techster to 39 wins and the 2022 Conference USA regular season title.
The former Arkansas Razorback helped the Tech program show dramatic improvements across the board offensively in 2022. After hitting just .233 in 2021, the Lady Techsters batted .293 in 2022 (third highest average in program history) including 78 doubles (No. 3 in single season), 17 triples (tied for No. 1 in single season), and 46 home runs (No. 5 in single season).
The Lady Techsters ranked among the Conference USA leaders in numerous statistical categories.
A former catcher during her playing days, Hiers worked with the Tech catchers. Her tutelage helped Brooke Diaz earn all-conference, all-region and all-state honors this past year proving to be one of the best both offensively and defensively.
Hiers came to Ruston after spending two years at the University of Georgia as a volunteer assistant for the Bulldogs. She was part of the coaching staff that led Georgia to the 2021 Women’s College World Series.
Her responsibilities at LA Tech include assisting with catchers, defensive game planning, hitting, video analysis, recruiting, and camps and clinics.
Hiers worked with the Georgia catchers and assisted with hitting while serving as the first bsae coach and relaying signs to pitchers on gamedays.
Prior to her time in Athens, Hiers had a brief stint as the volunteer at Virginia where she worked primarily with the outfielders and assisted with the offense. She also served as camp director and assisted with film breakdown.
Hiers played four seasons (2014-17) at the University of Arkansas, making more than 150 starts behind the plate for the Razorbacks. Her best offensive season came in 2016 when she hit .283 with nine home runs, seven doubles and 22 RBI. As a senior, she threw out 15 runners attempting to steal.
Hiers graduated from Arkansas with an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology in May 2017. She stayed in Fayetteville to complete her graduate degree in Recreation and Sports Management while also serving as a Graduate Assistant for the softball program. She earned her master’s degree in May 2019.
While serving as a graduate assistant for her alma mater, Hiers assisted with bullpen sessions, worked with the pitching staff, coordinated team managers, and assisted the director of operations among other duties. In 2018, the Razorbacks made their first-ever appearance in an NCAA Super Regional.
The Quitman, Georgia, native appeared behind the plate for the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch league in the summer of 2017. The next summer, she played in the American Softball Association in Mobile, Alabama, earning a spot on the ASBA All-Star Team.
