Travis Owen steps down as Lyon softball coach
First-year coach decides to pursue other interests abroad
BATESVILLE, Ark. –After leading the Lyon College softball program to a six-win improvement over a year ago and the third-most victories in the seven-year history of the program, Lyon College head softball coach Travis Owen has announced his resignation to pursue playing/coaching interests abroad, according to Lyon Director of Athletics Kevin Jenkins.
Under the direction of Owen, who was named the head coach of the program in May of 2013, the Scots improved from an 11-39 (.220) record in 2013 to a 17-23 (.425) finish this past season, despite losing one of its top pitching prospects to injury during fall play. Lyon posted a 9-13 record in its second season of American Midwest Conference play, battling for a three-way tie for seventh place in the final league standings.
Lyon, which will return nine freshmen, three sophomores and one junior from the 14-player roster to the 2015 squad, has already signed five players for the upcoming recruiting class.
A national search for Owen’s replacement is already underway, according to Jenkins.
Travis Owen
“Coach Owen did an outstanding job with the program in the past year,” Jenkins stated. “He improved the overall attitude and character of the team and molded it into a unit that was young, but played with the maturity of an older program as the season went on.”
Three All-American Midwest Conference players will return for the 2015 season. Sophomore utility player Stephanie Haft (SO/Albuquerque, NM), who improved her batting average by .170 this season and was a first-team selection earlier this month, will lead the way. Sophomore infielder Savannah Graham (SO/Keiser, Ark.) and freshman catcher/infielder Haley Huffstuttler (FR/Wynne, Ark.), who garnered honorable mention status, will also be back next season.
Eight members of the Lyon College squad earned AMC All-Academic honors in ’14.
“There is a great core of players returning, with an abundance of talent on the field and in the classroom,” Jenkins continued. “The program is moving in a positive direction and we are going to bring in a coach that will continue the work that Coach Owen has started.
“We’re sorry to see him go, but we wish Coach Owen nothing but the best as he moves forward in his career and searches for other challenges in his life.”
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