With this being her first season at Santa Clara University and as a newly-appointed head coach, Gina Carbonnatto has had her fair share of coaching experience. While being one of the most prominent assistant coaches within college softball on the west coast, Carbonatto looked to earn the role of leading her own team. Her extensive experience as a player and coach is just a small testament to the lengths she's gone to prepare for her new role. As a college athlete, Gina's time was only the beginning of her impressive career within softball, being one of two players ever to have their jersey retired at the University of the Pacific. Just a few other accolades included Big West's Freshman Field Player of the Year, four consecutive All-Big West first-team selections, three-time All-American, and Big West Player of the Year in 2006. While also playing professionally for the New England Riptide of National Pro Fastpitch League, Carbonatto returned to the states after two years to coach at UOP, University of Washington, UC Davis, and now finally Santa Clara. While her first year of head coaching was cut short due to COVID-19, she is even hungrier going into her second year at SCU as she discusses the ins and outs of her program's recruiting.

* Originally published on February 8, 2021, by Hannah Russell