Lisa Banse

Entering her third year as pitching coach, Lisa Banse (nee Birocci) was instrumental in Penn State[apos]s return to the NCAA tournament as its pitching corps ranked third in the Big Ten in 2011. In addition to her pitching duties Banse handles the catchers as well as other aspects of the program, including recruiting and travel.

[quote]I[apos]m very excited that Lisa chose to join the Penn State staff,[quote] said Petrini of Banse[apos]s hiring in Sept. 2010. [quote]Her vast experiences in international play and coaching at multiple levels are tremendous assets to the program. I[apos]m eager to continue her exceptional work with our pitchers and catchers.[quote]

Banse has had an extensive playing career as evidenced by being a member of the D.E.S. Caserta professional softball team in Caserta, Italy after a successful four-year career at Iowa. During the 2009 season in Caserta, she was named the most valuable player of the Italian Serie A softball league. Banse has also featured as an Italian National Team member in 2005, 2006 and 2009. She recently participated in the 2010 European Champions Cup hosted in Haarlem, Netherlands.

[quote]I want to thank Coach Petrini and Coach McIntyre,[quote] Banse said. [quote]For the honor of being part of the Penn State softball program. I am excited to be back in the Big Ten and to be part of a successful program with an exciting future. I have enjoyed working closely with the student-athletes and administration at Penn State University to make this program one of the best in the country.[quote]

The right-hander is an accomplished coach as well as a superb all-around player. She has been a part of the University of Iowa softball clinic scene since 2001 and was an assistant coach at Bethune-Cookman University in 2006-07. At Bethune-Cookman, Banse worked with the pitching staff and outfielders while organizing team travel, hotels and other travel related to the program. She was also influential on the recruiting front at B-CU. Most recently, Banse spent time as assistant coach of the Regina Catholic High School softball program in Iowa City.

I[apos]m very excited that Lisa has chosen to join the Penn State staff. Her vast experiences in international play and coaching at multiple levels will be a tremendous asset to the program. I[apos]m eager to have her work our pitchers and catchers. Head Coach Robin Petrini

As a collegiate student-athlete, Banse was a two-time NFCA All-American Third Team member (2003 and 2005), while earning first-team All-Region honors three straight seasons (2003-05). The right-handed pitcher earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors in 2003 when she initially broke the Iowa single-season strikeout record with 267. She would go on to fan 313 her junior season and 288 her senior season in 2005 en route to her second All-Big Ten First Team honor. Banse twice won 29 games in a single year doing so in both the 2003 and 2005 seasons.

She currently ranks second all-time in strikeouts at Iowa with 946 career strikeouts as well as second in shutouts (40). Banse is married to Andrew Banse and resides in Boalsburg, Pa. The couple have a son, Luca.