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ATHENS, Ohio – Jenna Hall has been named the 12th head coach in the history of the Ohio softball program, as announced by Director of Athletics Julie Cromer on Thursday (July 28).
  
"We are very excited to welcome Jenna Hall back to Ohio University," Cromer said. "Coach Hall's many years as a successful assistant in the Big Ten and the ACC, combined with her prior history with our program, have prepared her to return to Athens as our newest Head Coach.  We look forward to her leadership of our team as we begin another successful era of Ohio Softball."

Hall, a former assistant/associate head coach for the Bobcats, returns to Athens after 10 seasons. 

"First want to say how grateful I am to Athletic Director Julie Cromer and Ohio University for this amazing opportunity," Hall said. "Coming back to Athens feels very full circle and I could not be more excited to lead this program. Being a Bobcat again brings me so much joy. Athens has always held a special place in my heart and it feels home." 
 
Hall has spent the last three seasons at Pittsburgh working primarily with the offense. While there, Hall worked with Yvonne Whaley and saw her become one of the conference's top leadoff hitters, hitting .344 with 45 hits and 21 runs en-route to All-ACC Third Team honors in 2022.
 
She also coached three players to over .300 batting averages in conference play in 2022 and Improved Pitt's offensive power numbers in 2021 as the Panthers finished fifth in the ACC in home runs per game (.98), seventh in slugging percentage (.422) and seventh in total homers (45). 
 
Individually she also helped guide Sarah Seamans and Cami Compson to impressive numbers at the plate, as the two combined for 64 RBI, 24 home runs, 80 hits and 165 total bases. Hall also guided Compson to a stellar freshman season in 2021, hitting .325 with 41 hits, 11 homers, 29 RBI and a .627 slugging percentage. She earned NFCA Mid-Atlantic Second Team All-Region, All-ACC Third Team and All-ACC Freshman Team recognition.
 
Prior to her time at Pitt, Hall spent seven seasons at Ohio State as an assistant coach. During her time there, Hall helped coach Ohio State to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2016 to 2019, a program first. She led Buckeye hitters in setting single-season school records in batting average (.348), home runs (74) and runs scored (380) while coaching four players who finished the season with 40+ RBI in 2015, a program first.
 
She also guided two players to professional careers in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league, Emily Clark and Lilli Piper, and coached three All-Americans in Clark (2019), Piper (2017-2019) and Cammi Prantl (2016). She led NFCA Second Team All-American Piper to a single-season program record 20 home runs in 2018 and led Prantl to program records in career hits and doubles following the conclusion of the 2016 season, while Alex Bayne tied the single-season home run record in the same year. 
 
In total, Hall spent four seasons with the Bobcats under current Pitt head coach, Jodi Hermanek. During 2011-12, Hall helped guide Bobcat offense to single-season program records in home runs (47), RBI (255) and runs (293) in 2012 and coached Lauren Gellermann to First Team All-MAC and All-Region honors in 2012, with Jillian Van Wagnen also notching Second Team All-MAC recognition, 
 
Before entering the coaching world, Hall played softball at Illinois from 2003-06 and is a 2019 inductee of the Illinois Athletics All of Fame. While there, Hall closed her career as the all-time program leader in batting average (.357), on-base percentage (.486), slugging percentage (.580), home runs (33), RBI (142), walks (148) and total bases (361). She owns the single-season batting average program record after recording a .481 average as a senior and finished her career ranked sixth in NCAA Division I history in career intentional walks (26), while ranking ninth in single-season intentional walks (26) and 15th in total career walks (148). She was a four-time All-Big Ten and three-time All-Region honoree, while also being voted a NFCA First Team All-American and one of 25 finalists for USA Softball Player of the Year as a senior. 
 
After Illinois, Hall spent three seasons playing professionally In the NPF for the Philadelphia Force. 

"Bobcat Softball has a rich history and success that I will work hard every day to carry on," Hall said. "Culture, family and a wholistic approach to the student-athlete are my core values that I am excited to bring to this program. My family and I will represent Ohio University the only way we know how; with excellence and pride."
 
Hall Earned bachelor's degree in History Education from the University of Illinois in 2007 and is married to Christina Hall and they have three children: Elijah, Jonah and Olivia. 
 
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