Softball Adds Sarah Gunderson as Assistant Coach
8/19/2026 1:30:00 PM | Softball
Gunderson takes over pitching coach duties after two years at Manhattan
NEW YORK – Columbia softball head coach Jennifer Teague announced the addition of Sarah Gunderson to the Lions' coaching staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming season.
Gunderson joins Columbia after two seasons as an assistant coach and head recruiting coordinator at Manhattan, where she worked with pitchers and outfielders while overseeing recruiting efforts for the Jaspers.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to our Columbia softball family," Teague said. "She brings valuable Division I playing and coaching experience, along with strong recruiting relationships throughout the Northeast. Just as importantly, she brings tremendous energy, a genuine love for the game, and a growth mindset that aligns perfectly with our program. She understands that the game is constantly evolving, and she is committed to continuing to learn, develop, and find new ways to help our pitchers reach their potential. Her passion, experience, and ability to connect with student-athletes will be a tremendous addition to our pitching staff and our entire program."
During her time at Manhattan, Gunderson was responsible for the development of pitchers, outfielders, game mentality, and pitch calling. She helped the program improve its conference overall ERA and batting average against from 2022 levels and recruited several players who earned all-conference recognition, including MAAC Rookie of the Year and First Team All-MAAC honors.
Gunderson also directed recruiting clinics and camps, coordinated recruiting trips and on-campus visits, organized recruiting priorities and analyzed metrics and film using Synergy. She is also proficient in the ARMS recruiting and compliance platform.
Prior to Manhattan, Gunderson spent one season as an assistant coach at St. Thomas Aquinas, where she worked with pitchers and outfielders and helped the program capture its first East Coast Conference championship and make its first NCAA Division II Regional Tournament appearance. Her work with the pitching staff contributed to one ECC Pitcher of the Year and two All-ECC selections.
Gunderson began her collegiate coaching career at Rhode Island College in 2022. In her time with the Anchors, she helped develop pitchers and outfielders, producing two All-Little East Conference outfield selections and one All-LEC pitcher. She also helped lower the team's pitching staff ERA from 7.23 in 2021 to 3.95 in 2022.
A former Division I pitcher, Gunderson competed at the University of Rhode Island and Providence College from 2016-21. She earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week and All-Rookie Team honors at Rhode Island, was a three-time A-10 Pitcher of the Week and twice ranked among the NCAA's top 20 pitchers in walks allowed per seven innings. She also earned Big East Weekly Honor Roll recognition at Providence.
In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Gunderson has worked as a private pitching and hitting instructor since 2022. She has trained athletes throughout Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey, established relationships with college coaches for recruiting and clinics, and utilized HitTrax to analyze player data and metrics.
Gunderson earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Rhode Island in 2020 and a Master of Business Administration from Providence College in 2021.
"I am incredibly grateful and honored for the opportunity to join Columbia Softball," Gunderson said. "I want to sincerely thank Coach Teague for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of this program. I am passionate about creating a positive, competitive, and supportive environment where student-athletes can grow both on and off the field. I'm excited to contribute to the continued success of Columbia Softball and, most importantly, to help our student-athletes reach their full potential."
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).
Gunderson joins Columbia after two seasons as an assistant coach and head recruiting coordinator at Manhattan, where she worked with pitchers and outfielders while overseeing recruiting efforts for the Jaspers.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to our Columbia softball family," Teague said. "She brings valuable Division I playing and coaching experience, along with strong recruiting relationships throughout the Northeast. Just as importantly, she brings tremendous energy, a genuine love for the game, and a growth mindset that aligns perfectly with our program. She understands that the game is constantly evolving, and she is committed to continuing to learn, develop, and find new ways to help our pitchers reach their potential. Her passion, experience, and ability to connect with student-athletes will be a tremendous addition to our pitching staff and our entire program."
During her time at Manhattan, Gunderson was responsible for the development of pitchers, outfielders, game mentality, and pitch calling. She helped the program improve its conference overall ERA and batting average against from 2022 levels and recruited several players who earned all-conference recognition, including MAAC Rookie of the Year and First Team All-MAAC honors.
Gunderson also directed recruiting clinics and camps, coordinated recruiting trips and on-campus visits, organized recruiting priorities and analyzed metrics and film using Synergy. She is also proficient in the ARMS recruiting and compliance platform.
Prior to Manhattan, Gunderson spent one season as an assistant coach at St. Thomas Aquinas, where she worked with pitchers and outfielders and helped the program capture its first East Coast Conference championship and make its first NCAA Division II Regional Tournament appearance. Her work with the pitching staff contributed to one ECC Pitcher of the Year and two All-ECC selections.
Gunderson began her collegiate coaching career at Rhode Island College in 2022. In her time with the Anchors, she helped develop pitchers and outfielders, producing two All-Little East Conference outfield selections and one All-LEC pitcher. She also helped lower the team's pitching staff ERA from 7.23 in 2021 to 3.95 in 2022.
A former Division I pitcher, Gunderson competed at the University of Rhode Island and Providence College from 2016-21. She earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week and All-Rookie Team honors at Rhode Island, was a three-time A-10 Pitcher of the Week and twice ranked among the NCAA's top 20 pitchers in walks allowed per seven innings. She also earned Big East Weekly Honor Roll recognition at Providence.
In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Gunderson has worked as a private pitching and hitting instructor since 2022. She has trained athletes throughout Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey, established relationships with college coaches for recruiting and clinics, and utilized HitTrax to analyze player data and metrics.
Gunderson earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Rhode Island in 2020 and a Master of Business Administration from Providence College in 2021.
"I am incredibly grateful and honored for the opportunity to join Columbia Softball," Gunderson said. "I want to sincerely thank Coach Teague for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of this program. I am passionate about creating a positive, competitive, and supportive environment where student-athletes can grow both on and off the field. I'm excited to contribute to the continued success of Columbia Softball and, most importantly, to help our student-athletes reach their full potential."
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).
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