The University of South Florida named Carmela Liwag assistant softball coach before the 2013 season. Liwag, who has been a part of the USF program as a player and volunteer assistant for a combined 10 seasons, is entering her seventh year on the Bulls' coaching staff.
“We are so fortunate that when one great person transitions to a new life track, we have someone like Carmela Liwag to step into a role that keeps USF softball at a very high level,” Eriksen said. “She played this game at a high level and knows my system inside and out. To have a personal investment is a big deal to me and to the team, and Carmela has shown that both as a player and volunteer.”
Liwag joined the USF staff as a volunteer assistant in 2009, working with the infield and helping with hitting instruction. Prior to that, Liwag played for the Bulls, and was a four-time all-conference selection. She holds the school record for runs batted in with 171.
“It’s an honor to coach under such an experienced coaching staff,” Liwag said. “I learned a lot from Ken, Stacey and Mo when I was a player and I look forward to learning even more from them as a coach.”
Liwag, who was the starting first baseman for the Bulls all four years she played, assists mainly with infield duties while helping with the team’s batting.
“I am very pleased that Carmela Liwag has come back to coach with us,” Eriksen said. “She was one of the most knowledgeable and clutch players we had at USF. I know that she will add to our already tremendous group of support personnel.”
Liwag helped guide the team to a .305 team batting average in 2014, the highest since 2004, while nine players batted .305 or better. The Bulls also booked their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and posted their third straight 40-plus win season in 2014.
Under Liwag and the rest of the staff, USF made its first appearance in the Women's College World Series in 2012 after winning the Gainesville Regional and defeating Hofstra in the Super Regionals.
Only one of two four-time all-conference selections for the USF softball team, Liwag was known during her playing career for taking younger players under her guidance and helping them with their transition into collegiate softball while giving them tips on how to perform at a high level.
A 2005 graduate from USF with a degree in history, Liwag ended her stellar playing career as a Bull ranked in the top 10 in nine offensive categories. She set the career record with 171 RBI in 2005 and the record still stands today.
Liwag was inducted into the USF Softball Hall of Fame during the 2013 season.
