Justin Lewis - Softball Coach

Justin Lewis

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
justinlewis@mail.fresnostate.edu.
Phone:
559-278-4454

Justin Lewis wrapped up his first season as an assistant coach and primary hitting instructor in 2021.

In 2021, the Bulldogs won their first Mountain West Championship since 2016 and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017 (34th in program history). Fresno State finished the season with an overall record of 37-12 (20-4 MW). Fresno State led the MW in 23 statistical categories. The Bulldogs' pitching staff limited opponents to a .225 batting average. At the plate, the 'Dogs outscored their opponents 279-103.

Hailey Dolcini was named the MW Pitcher of the Year. Keahilele Mattson became the first player in MW history to be named the MW Player of the Year and Co-Freshman of the Year. Fresno State had four All-MW selections in Dolcini (First Team), Mattson (Second Team), Adrianna Noriega (Second Team) and Kaitlyn Jennings (Second Team). The Bulldogs had four NFCA All-Region selections (Dolcini, Mattson, Jennings, Vanessa Hernandez).

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.

"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."