HARTFORD, Conn. – Trinity College has announced the appointment of Mackenzie Keyes as head softball coach.  Keyes comes to Trinity from Williams College where she has been an assistant coach since 2017. Keyes helped the Ephs win the 2018 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title, NCAA Regional championships in 2018 and 2019, and an NCAA Super Regional in 2019.  She replaces Molly Rathbun who resigned to take an a coaching position at the University of Connecticut.

"We are thrilled to welcome Mackenzie to the Bantam family and excited to see where her leadership takes our softball program," said Trinity Athletic Director Drew Galbraith. "She demonstrated a remarkable depth of knowledge for teaching the game and developing student-athletes in a holistic way that matches our philosophy at Trinity. We are looking forward to her continuing the momentum that exists with our students in this program."

Keyes earned her bachelor's degree in communications from Central Connecticut State University in 2016, where she helped the Blue Devils win conference titles in 2013 and 2015.  She has been active both locally and on a national level through the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as a coach and hitting instructor since 2016 and has mentored multiple all-regional and All-American athletes since her arrival at Williams.  Keyes earned a master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was a graduate assistant in athletic communications, and has also been a strength and conditioning assistant at Williams since 2019.

"First and foremost, thank you to Athletic Director Drew Galbraith and the hiring committee for this opportunity," said Keyes. "I believe that the goals of the college and athletic department align with who I am and what I envision for the softball program. I look forward to being part of the Trinity community and continuing to move the program forward."

Trinity softball has been a consistent participant in post-season play recently with five appearances in the NESCAC Championship Tournament since 2016.  The Bantams finished the 2022 season with a 19-14 overall record and in second place in the NESCAC East with an 8-4 division mark.  Trinity qualified for the NESCAC Tourney for the 10th time, downing Williams, 8-4, in the quarterfinals before falling to Amherst, 2-1, in the semifinals.