Fresno State Athletics
Garza adds Lewis to softball staff
1/20/2021 1:25:00 PM | Softball
FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State softball head coach Linda Garza announced the addition of assistant coach Justin Lewis to the program on Friday. Lewis will have a heavy hand in coaching the Bulldogs at the plate and in the outfield. He also joins the staff as an experienced recruiter and will bring a wealth of recruiting experience to the Bulldog program.Â
"Coach Lewis brings a variety of experience on and off the field," Garza said. "I'm excited about his knowledge of hitting, 15-year background playing Fastpitch and his passion for the coaching profession. He is an avid learner most recently earning his master's degree specific to coaching. His energy is contagious, and we can't wait to work alongside him."
Lewis comes to Fresno from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, where is served as the program's assistant coach for the 2020 season. Despite the abrupt ending of the season, Lewis was able to assist the coaching staff in installing a new culture and had a successful recruiting season. The team was on pace to triple its winning total from the previous season.
Prior to his time with the Islanders, he served as the assistant coach at Texas A&M Kingsville. In 2019, Lewis was an assistant coach for what was the best season in program history. The Javelinas set school records for wins in a season (52), win percentage (.839) and longest win streak (19). They compiled a record of 14-4 against ranked teams, including a sweep of No. 2 A&M-Commerce in March. TAMUK won the LSC Championship in the regular season and the LSC Tournament Championship in the same season for the first time ever before also capturing the South Central Regional Title and earned TAMUK's first ever trip to the College World Series, where they won four games before finishing as the National Runner-Up. For their efforts, the Javelina staff earned the title of South Central Regional Coaching Staff of the Year according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Lewis was the hitting coach and in 2019 the Javelinas re-wrote the record books. Lewis worked with an offense that set new program marks for runs scored in a season (343), total bases (768), on-base percentage (.387), and home runs (46). Lewis also worked with the infielders. In 2019 they tied the single season fielding percentage record at (.967).
Before returning to coaching, Lewis served as a firefighter for nine years. Lewis was also a camp coach for University of Arizona head softball coach Mike Candrea for the three years before coming to TAMUK. His college coaching experience also includes three baseball seasons at Central Arizona College.
As a student-athlete, Lewis played two years at Central Arizona College and then transferred to University of Louisiana-Monroe, where he was an All-Conference performer.
Lewis earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of Louisiana-Monroe (2000) and his master's degree in positive coaching and athletic leadership from the University of Missouri (2020). Â
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.Â
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Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateSB
Instagram:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateSoftball
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"Coach Lewis brings a variety of experience on and off the field," Garza said. "I'm excited about his knowledge of hitting, 15-year background playing Fastpitch and his passion for the coaching profession. He is an avid learner most recently earning his master's degree specific to coaching. His energy is contagious, and we can't wait to work alongside him."
Lewis comes to Fresno from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, where is served as the program's assistant coach for the 2020 season. Despite the abrupt ending of the season, Lewis was able to assist the coaching staff in installing a new culture and had a successful recruiting season. The team was on pace to triple its winning total from the previous season.
Prior to his time with the Islanders, he served as the assistant coach at Texas A&M Kingsville. In 2019, Lewis was an assistant coach for what was the best season in program history. The Javelinas set school records for wins in a season (52), win percentage (.839) and longest win streak (19). They compiled a record of 14-4 against ranked teams, including a sweep of No. 2 A&M-Commerce in March. TAMUK won the LSC Championship in the regular season and the LSC Tournament Championship in the same season for the first time ever before also capturing the South Central Regional Title and earned TAMUK's first ever trip to the College World Series, where they won four games before finishing as the National Runner-Up. For their efforts, the Javelina staff earned the title of South Central Regional Coaching Staff of the Year according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Lewis was the hitting coach and in 2019 the Javelinas re-wrote the record books. Lewis worked with an offense that set new program marks for runs scored in a season (343), total bases (768), on-base percentage (.387), and home runs (46). Lewis also worked with the infielders. In 2019 they tied the single season fielding percentage record at (.967).
Before returning to coaching, Lewis served as a firefighter for nine years. Lewis was also a camp coach for University of Arizona head softball coach Mike Candrea for the three years before coming to TAMUK. His college coaching experience also includes three baseball seasons at Central Arizona College.
As a student-athlete, Lewis played two years at Central Arizona College and then transferred to University of Louisiana-Monroe, where he was an All-Conference performer.
Lewis earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of Louisiana-Monroe (2000) and his master's degree in positive coaching and athletic leadership from the University of Missouri (2020). Â
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.Â
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateSB
Instagram:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Â
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