Beyster
University of Toledo Athletic Director Mike O’Brien announced the hiring of Tarrah Beyster as the school’s head softball coach yesterday.
Beyster, an All-American at Oregon State University from 1997 to 2000, joins the Rockets after spending the 2009 season as the head coach at the University of Vermont. She also previously served as an assistant coach at Bradley University and Indiana University.
Vermont set several program records during the season, including most games played in a single season (46) and single-game highs for runs scored, hits, doubles and total bases. Two freshmen were named to the America East All-Rookie Team after the season.
However, Vermont announced in February that the softball and baseball programs would be discontinued following the 2009 season.
“I’m very excited to be a part of the Rocket family,” Beyster said. “I’m looking forward to putting Toledo softball back on the map and building the program up to where it was in the ’80s and ’90s. Initially, we want to compete in the MAC, but turning the team into a powerhouse is the ultimate goal. I’m ready and excited to get the program running.”
“We are very fortunate to have Tarrah join our staff,” O’Brien said. “She was a four-time academic and athletic All-American at Oregon State who has grown into an excellent coach. Having coached in the Midwest and then having the experience of leading the Vermont program as the head coach will serve the Rocket softball program well.”
Beyster set 24 school records during her playing days and in 2002 became the first OSU softball player to have her jersey number retired. She was named the Oregon State University Female Athlete of the Year four times and in 2001 was named the NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Oregon. She helped lead the Beavers to their first two NCAA Regional Tournament appearances in 1999 and 2000.
After completing her collegiate playing days, Beyster served as an assistant pitching coach at Oregon State for a season and became the head softball coach at West Albany High School in Albany, Ore. She also conducted private lessons throughout both Oregon and Washington.
From 2003 to 2005, Beyster worked as an assistant coach at Bradley, where she was responsible for the pitchers and catchers as well as recruiting. She then moved on to Indiana, where she worked as both the pitching and catching coach while also assisting with the hitters and overseeing recruiting for three seasons before taking the head position at Vermont.
Beyster played several seasons in the National Pro Fastpitch League. She played with the Arizona Heat (2004), where she tied for the league lead in home runs; the Nebraska Comets (2005), leading the team in batting average, home runs and RBI, while pacing the team in wins, ERA and strikeouts on the mound; and with the New England Riptide (2006-07), where she led the team in home runs and RBI. She also was selected as an All-Star player for the 2003 NPF Tour.
