TEMPE, Ariz. – Head Arizona State softball coach, Trisha Ford, announced Monday the elevation of Katie Richardson to assistant coach entering the 2018 season.

Richardson, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., was an integral part of the Sun Devil's success in the 2017 season that saw ASU finish the season with a 31-22 record and reach their 28th NCAA postseason appearance.

"I am excited to come back and be a part of this special program that Coach Ford is building," Richardson said. "She is an unbelievable leader that I am fortunate enough to work with and learn from. Having the opportunity to coach at home is not something every person in this field gets to do. I get a lot of support from family and friends that grew up in Sun Devil houses. I love being a Sun Devil and I am looking forward to another great year with this team."

As a player, Richardson was a standout utility player at perennial powerhouse Minnesota where she played, and started, in every game in her four-year playing career. Her .388 career-batting average ranks third in program history while her .678 career-slugging percentage set a new record for Minnesota softball.

Not only was Richardson a standout athlete during her time in the twin cities, she was also a leader off the field. Richardson was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team following her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, while also earning NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete honors in 2014.

Following her 2015 campaign, Richardson was named a Senior CLASS Award Top-10 Finalist and Senior CLASS Award First Team All-American, while also becoming a first round selection to the Dallas Charge in the National Pro Fastpitch College Draft.

"We are excited for Katie and look forward to her continued leadership this upcoming season," Ford added. "Katie has played at the highest levels of our game and been successful on and off the field. Katie is a bright energetic coach that has a incredible future in the sport of softball."

Richardson also received the U of M Outstanding Student-Athlete Achievement Award, as well as the Patty Berg Legacy Award that recognizes the U of M female student-athlete who excels in competition and in the classroom while representing the values of the athletics.

Richardson, who served primarily as the infield and hitting coach last season, will resume those responsibilities for the 2018 season.

KATIE RICHARDSON CAREER STATS (Minnesota 2012-15)
Batting Average: .388
Slugging Percentage: .678 (School Record)
Home Runs: 40
Hits: 247
Doubles: 64 (School Record)
Runs: 145

KATIE RICHARDSON PLAYER ACCOLADES
NSCA All-American: 2014 (Second Team); 2013 (Third Team)
Senior CLASS All-American: 2015
CoSIDA Academic All-American: Third-Team (2013)
All-BIG Ten: First Team (2013,'14); Second-team (2015); Second-Team 2015
Big Ten All-Academic: 2015, '14, 13
Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player: 2014