July 23, 2008

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin softball head coach Gay McNutt announced Wednesday the hiring of Blair Hewett to complete her staff for the 2008-09 year.

Hewett comes to SFA from Mississippi State, where she spent the 2008 season as a student assistant coach following a four-year playing career with the Bulldogs. She will work primarily with pitchers and catchers at SFA.

"It is a pleasure to have Blair on staff," McNutt said. "She comes from a very exciting and competitive background, which is exactly what we need to continue on an upward path toward winning the SLC. I know she will be an asset to our staff."

Mississippi State compiled a 142-112 record in Hewett's four years as a player, making the NCAA Regionals in three of those four campaigns. Hewett earned the starting nod behind the plate midway through her freshman year and held the position for each of the final three seasons.

Hewett coached pitchers and catchers in 2008, when the Bulldogs went 41-22, were ranked in the NFCA Top 25 and again reached the NCAA Regionals. The 41 wins rank second all-time at MSU. Mississippi State catcher, Chelsea Bramlett, Hewett's replacement and pupil during the 2008 season, was named First-Team All-SEC following the season.

Hewett was a four-time Academic All-SEC selection during her career. In 2005 she was named an NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete Award recipient. Hewett earned team MVP honors in 2006, when she set a new MSU record for single-season fielding percentage at .997. Her career putouts total of 778 ranks fifth in the Bulldog record books.

Hewett graduated from Mississippi State in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Fitness Management.

-- SFA --