Tori Speckman Named UB Softball Pitching Coach
7/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BUFFALO, NY – Former UB softball great Tori Speckman was named pitching coach at her alma mater on Tuesday morning, as announced by fifth-year head coach Trena Prater. Speckman returns to Buffalo where she holds a plethora of all-time pitching records in the blue and white.
"I am so excited to be joining the Buffalo coach staff as their pitching coach," said Speckman. "The university and its athletic department have given so much to me and I look forward to giving back to the program and to UB. I am thrilled to have a role in our future success and looking forward to helping our pitching staff develop into dominate pitchers in the MAC and win multiple championships."
The two-time All-MAC performer was one of the best pitchers in school history when she concluded her career following the historic 2014 campaign. Speckman helped lead the Bulls to their first-ever MAC East regular seasons championship and MAC Championship game appearance during her senior campaign.
Speckman earned First Team All-MAC honors following her senior season that saw her notch a 22-13 record, single season record for wins, to go along with a 2.17 ERA and a school record 228 strikeouts. She set the school record for innings pitched in a single season (244.2) while also recording two no-hitters on the year.
For her spectacular career, Speckman appeared in a program-best 143 games while making a record 95 starts and earning 54 complete games. She was able to notch a program record 48 victories, 14 shutouts and struck out 530 career batters, ranking second most in school history. Her career 3.07 ERA also ranks third best in program history.
"It's an honor to welcome back one of the best pitchers to ever wear Buffalo across her chest," stated Prater. "I am very blessed to have Coach Speckman coming back to coach with me. I believe that she will help us pick up where she left off in her playing career here. She's a championship pitcher and I know that she is the perfect person to help guide our pitching staff mentally, physically, and spiritually. We have three very talented pitchers that I believe can blossom under her leadership."
Speckman graduated from Buffalo in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in social sciences interdisciplinary with a concentration in health and human services and early childhood development.
The Buffalo pitching staff returns three pitchers from a season ago, Brieanna Baker, Lace Smith and Ally Power. Power led the way for the Bulls rotation in 2017 as she earned Second Team All-MAC honors after making 26 appearances in the circle including 19 starts and 11 complete games. She held a 3.27 ERA and struck out 95 batters, all team-highs for UB this past season.
