DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Nov. 6, 2017) – Mercy College Head Softball Coach Mike Fazio has announced the hiring of Jackie Kielty and Kati Golino as Assistant Coaches.

"I am happy and excited to have both Jackie and Kati join our staff for 2018 while the complete their MBA's here at Mercy.  Their return to help out with our program coming off our championship season last year, will help us continue to build a strong winning culture here and signals a bright future for the Mercy Softball program."

Born in Scituate, Mass, Jackie graduated from Middleborough High School in 2013. During her time at Middleborough, Jackie was a standout softball player in HS, with playing experience at C,1B and P. In 2011 she made the move from behind the plate to the circle.  While at Middleborough, Jackie was a two year captain and was named Patriot League all star.  She finished her senior year with a 12-6 record, an ERA of 3.14 with 65 K's and 1 BB while hitting .327 with 1 HR and 23 RBI's.

Following her HS graduation, Jackie went on to pitch one year for Dean College in MA, before transferring to Mercy where she pitched three years for the Mavericks.

2015: Made 20 appearances in the circle with 13 starts… Went 3-10 with a 4.91 ERA in 77 innings of work… Finished with 20 strikeouts and four complete games… Earned first win of season with six innings pitched against Molloy on March 31st with only one earned run allowed… Picked up second win of season with an eight-inning complete game against perennial ECC power LIU Post on April 11th with one earned run allowed… Picked up final win of season at St. Thomas Aquinas on April 22nd with one earned run allowed in five innings.

2016: Appeared in 23 games, starting seven in the circle…Pitched a total of 72.1 innings…Struck out 43 batters, averaging 4.16 strikeouts per game…Finished the season with a 4.06 earned run average, four wins, and one save…Led the team in games in relief with 16… Had her best game of the season on Apr. 1 in the 8-2 victory over Goldey-Beacom where she pitched a full seven innings, striking out eight batters for the win.

2017: Appeared in 18 games with 15 starts in the circle… Went 7-6 with a 3.62 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings… Tossed two complete games… Allowed one earned run in six innings to pick up win in game two at Molloy on April 3rd…Surrendered one run in complete game win in game two at St. Thomas Aquinas on April 5th… Fired four shutout innings to earn win in game two against Felician on April 20th.

"Jackie is coming off a successful three-year career here at Mercy where she played an instrumental role as a leader of our pitching staff which helped us win our first ever regular season championship, our first ever ECC Championship, and our first ever NCAA tournament win.  She was my first two - year captain and has earned the respect of both her former team mates and our coaching staff.  I look forward to working with her and helping her as she works to help develop our staff as we move forward. I believe that Jackie's experience and the leadership she demonstrated as a player is going to be a huge assist for our program," Fazio said.

"Being a part of the softball team here at mercy has molded me into the person I am today. I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to give back to a program that has given me so much. This team of talented young women, guided by this dedicated staff, will continue to establish a culture of greatness here at Mercy. I can't wait to see how the softball program's passion and hard work translates onto the field," stated Kielty.

Golino joins the staff after a successful 4 year playing career at Mercy where she was a leader in the program. Following her graduation from Carteret High School, in New Jersey where she hit .263 with 22 RBI's, 9 2B's 23b's, 2 HR and 22 BB's, Kati started her college career as a member of our JV program but saw action with the varsity in her freshmen year. 

2014: Named NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete... Appeared in eight games making four starts... Hit .400 (6-for-15) with four runs scored and an RBI... Finished with .467 slugging percentage and .471 on base percentage... Stole one base...Went 2-for-6 with a run scored in doubleheader versus Dowling on April 5th... Finished game one of doubleheader at St. Thomas Aquinas on April 13th 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

2015: Played in 25 games, making 20 starts… Hit .217 with 13 hits in 60 at bats… Produced three RBI, three doubles and six runs scored… Opened season with 2-for-3 outing against Saint Anselm on March 7th with a double… Started season with a hit in six of her first seven games… Went a perfect 1-for-1 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in Mavericks 10-3 win over Molloy on March 31st.

2016: Played in 41 games for the season, recording 83 at bats…Had 19 hits, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, two home runs and one stolen base…Led the team with 10 hit by pitches…Had 175 put outs for the season…Had her best game in the 5-2 victory over NYIT on Apr. 19 when she recorded her second home run of the season.

2017: Appeared in 40 games making 37 starts… Batted .230 with 14 hits, seven runs and four RBI in 61 at bats… Drew a team-high 15 walks… Batted 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI in doubleheader at Georgian Court on April 10th…Went 1-for-2 with a run and RBI in ECC Championship Game against LIU Post on May 7th.

Fazio commented, "Kati's contribution to our program over the last 4 years cannot be measured in statistics. She was all about what she could do to help the team from day one.  She came in as a catcher but was asked to play 2b during her freshmen season and then 3b during her sophomore year.  As a junior, we needed help at first and Kati gladly took on the role where she worked hard to learn another new position. That year she played a pivotal role in the success of our team.  During her senior year in 2017, her leadership on the field as a starting catcher and team captain was a key to our championship run." 

"I am delighted that Kati has chosen to get her MBA at Mercy and to be a part of my coaching staff. She is a proven leader and he will help our team again this year as a coach where she will be working primarily with our catchers," he added. 

"I will never be able to put into words what this team and Coach Mike have done for me over my four years. This program has helped me grow in many ways that not only will help me in my career, they help me in my life. This team is a family and I cannot wait to help these girls grow as I have," Kati said.