California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

The only Cal U sports figure to ever play and then coach on a national championship team the following year is Sarah Cassin.

A four-year starting second baseman for the women’s softball team from 1994 through 1997, Cassin then served as an assistant coach under veteran leader Rick Bertagnolli in 1998.

On the field she was a three-time all-conference and two-time all-region pick, who received NFCA All-America honors following her 1997 senior season that culminated with Cal softball winning its first of two consecutive NCAA II national championships.

An exceptional defensive player, she became a starter early in her freshman season and helped the 1994 team win the program’s first-ever NCAA Division II Regional championship. The following season she helped Cal win a school record 48 games against only seven losses while batting .372.

Interestingly, former Cal softball head coach and Cal Hall of Fame inductee Linda Kalafatis, who took a coaching job in Ohio in the fall of 1993, recruited Cassin.

“I went to Cal because of the education program and the fall was up in the air until Coach B came in and that January was the hardest practice month ever,” said Cassin. “All we did during winter drills was run and never touched a glove. But it was obviously a great fit and I ‘m very happy the way things worked out.”

During her junior season, the Vulcans compiled a 45-5 overall record while winning the school’s first PSAC title since 1991 and what would be the first of five straight state crowns. Cal won their second NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional championship in three years and finished fifth at the national tourney. She batted .371 in ’96 with 13 doubles and three triples.

Cassin batted a career-best .383 as a senior in 1997 with 57 hits, 36 runs, 11 walks, 21 RBI, six doubles, a triple, three home runs, three sacrifices and a team-high 105 assists in the field. At the Nationals, Cassin had two hits and scored twice in Cal’s 5-0 opening win over Florida Southern and her sacrifice setup the only run in a 1-0 win over Wisconsin-Parkside in the second game. Cal was the first and one of only two teams in the 25-year history of the NCAA softball national tourney to go undefeated.

“I think talent-wise, position per position that was not the best team I played on but everybody really meshed and it was almost scary how well we got along,” she said. “I think that was the biggest difference. For me personally as a senior I really did not think going on the field that we would ever lose. Playing behind (pitcher Danielle) Penner we knew if someone was lucky enough to actually hit the ball we were going to catch it. To finish like that was awesome.”

She finished her consistent playing career with a .350 career batting average and .961 career fielding percentage that included 417 putouts and 354 assists. She played in 190 consecutive games and Cal went 184-30 during Cassin’s playing days with four PSAC-West titles, two conference titles three NCAA Regional crowns and the school’s first-ever national team championship.

In 1998, Cassin and Bertagnolli were recognized as the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) Speedline Division II Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding the Vulcans to a 47-7 overall record and national championship repeat. No NCAA II softball has repeated since.

“I guess the hard part for me was trying to transition into being a coach because I just played the year before,” said Cassin about her changed role. “The players I had played with were great about it as far as respect and that was never even an issue. The hardest part for me was getting used to not running out on the field. I think 1998 was a shock to a lot of people because they were waiting for us to lose and gunning for you but everyone kept grounded and worked hard. We just kept playing as a team and came out on top and showed everyone.”

Cassin is the fifth player from the national softball title teams to be inducted into Cal U’s Hall of Fame, an honor she is proud of though she keeps a team-oriented perspective.

“I was completely shocked when coach called me about this and it’s a little overwhelming,” said Cassin. “It’s great to be singled out but I never got swept up with individual awards because my parents instilled into me when I started playing sports that it’s always about the team. I figured my day would come but if it didn’t I’m a national champion and anything else is the cherry on top. I am very happy and my parents are pretty excited.”

Sarah received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education/social science from Cal U in 1997. She went on to be a substitute teacher at Baldwin High School and them a program instructor at Allegheny Valley School. Since 2002, Cassin has worked for Governor Rendell, where she now assists the director of communications. Cassin credits the education she received at Cal for helping her succeed professionally.

“If I could go back and even if I did not play ball I would not have changed a thing,” said Cassin. “I felt safe there, loved the campus and I really believe I received a good education.”

Originally from McKeesport, PA, and a graduate of McKeesport High School, Cassin was a four-year starting shortstop and also played basketball for two seasons. An all-section player, she helped the Tigers reach the 1991 WPIAL Class AAA championship game. Before relocating east, Cassin served as an assistant softball coach for one season each at Bethel Park and McKeesport.

Though a decade has passed since her unprecedented softball experience, Cassin remains close to Bertagnolli and her teammates.

“Coaching for Rick was pretty incredible,” she said “Now he’s not my coach anymore but he’s still my mentor and has become a friend. It’s special to be able to call up your college coach anytime and talk about each other’s families. The friendships are life-long when you go through something like that. I keep in touch with a lot of players but even if I saw a player I had not spoken to since we played it would be like running into your best friend.”

Sarah is single and now resides in Camp Hill, PA.