Guiding Georgia softball to its best hitting numbers in program history during his time in Athens, Tony Baldwin has been promoted to associate head coach, officially announced on Monday.
 
 
Completing his second season as an assistant coach in 2016 after serving as a volunteer assistant for the Bulldogs in 2011-12, Baldwin’s instruction has continued Georgia’s winning tradition. Georgia made its 15th-consecutive NCAA postseason appearance in 2016 while going back to the Women’s College World Series for the third time since 2009, one of only 12 teams in the nation to have three or more trips since that year.
 
 
The offense has put up program-high numbers since Baldwin’s return. The past two years’ batting averages are the highest in Georgia’s 20 seasons, as the team hit .343 in 2015 and .342 this past season. Both of those batting numbers were in the top 15 nationally, including 2016’s average ranking sixth overall.
 
 
Focusing on individual production, Baldwin has coached three NFCA All-Americans over the past two years. Most recently Tina Iosefa earned the honor, as Iosefa and Baldwin worked together in her final year to become the nation’s leader with 23 home runs and 87 RBI. Her single-season RBI total surpassed former Bulldog Alisa Goler’s record 81 RBI, making Iosefa the new leader in team and SEC history.
 
 
Seven Bulldogs were recognized by the SEC for postseason awards this past season. Sydni Emanuel and Cortni Emanuel garnered All-SEC honors for the second-straight year as their consistency did not stray from last season, both hitting over .400 while combining for 160 total hits. Newcomer Alyssa DiCarlo had a stellar start after knocking in 63 RBI, the most of any freshman in the nation.