She has previous experience coaching softball at Pittsburg High School along with her title as the Paris High School cheer sponsor and she knows what it takes to lead young women. Now, Brandi Batchelor will return to the dugout to coach the Paris High School softball team.
“Everything happened as a perfect, ideal situation,” Batchelor said. “I respect the previous coach, and he left to take a better job for his family. I was so excited to be coming into this position under good circumstances. It was perfect timing to say the least.”
During her time in charge of the Lady Pirates’ softball program, Batchelor finished with an overall record of 30-19-1, including a 12-8 mark in district play over a two-year span. In her second season with Pittsburg, Batchelor led the Lady ’Cats to the regional quarterfinals of postseason play as Pittsburg defeated Brownsboro and Bullard along the way. In her first year with Pittsburg in 2016, she helped guide her team to a 6-3 upset win over district rival North Lamar, the last year the Pantherettes reached the state tournament.
Gaining the experience she did through both her playing and coaching days has helped Batchelor earn the type of success she’s had to this point in her career.
“I am a highly competitive person in nature,” Batchelor said. “I have been around the game of softball my entire life playing in high school and having numerous scholarship opportunities in college. I’ll look forward to bringing my personality with my experience to make something happen this year. I think everyone already knows I coached at Pittsburg for two years, finished second in district and we had a deep run into the playoffs.”
She saw a quick rise to prominence with Pittsburg and hopes to recreate that same type of magic with Paris High School, which starts with creating a winning culture.
“We have such an awesome athletic director and coaching staff here at Paris,” Batchelor said. “I believe with their support we are going to be competitive this year. I hope to continue growing the program and helping these young ladies in the game of softball and to be better people in life off the field. Our team goal will be to take it one step at a time. I hope to improve a little each day and be competitive. I want a positive environment with great work ethics.”