Manchester University

Sara Emerich completed her fifth year as head softball coach at Manchester in 2024

In her fifth year at the helm, Coach Emerich led the Spartans to a 21-17 record overall and 10-10 HCAC record. Emerich led the Spartans to a 5th seed finish and a trip to the HCAC Tournament. Three Spartans were honored in the All-HCAC team including Lizzy Willis on the first team and Kendal Rider and Kaitlyn Carr on the 2nd team. Four Spartans also received Academic All-District honors and 14 made the HCAC All-Academic team. 

In her fourth year as head coach of the Black & Gold, Coach Emerich led the Spartans to another 20 win season and another trip to the post season. Coach Emerich's program produced a 2nd Team All-HCAC honor in Kendal Rider after hitting .376 with 14 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. She also boasted nine total spartans on the HCAC All Academic spring team. 

During her third year as head coach of the Spartan softball program, Coach Emerich led the Black and Gold back into the post season for the first time since the 2018 season behind a 23-20 overall record and a 10-6 conference mark. The last time the Black and Gold won 20 or more games in a single season was back in 2016, and the Spartans' 353 hits on the season set a new Manchester school record for number of hits by a team in a single season. Coach Emerich's program produced a pair of All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) performers in first-year Sabrina Leonard (First Team) and sophomore Kaitlyn Carr (Second Team). Her leadership garnered the recognition of her peers and the title of 2023 HCAC Softball Coach of the Year.

In her second season at the helm of the Manchester softball program, Coach Emerich helped a young Spartan squad double its win total from a season ago. Coach Emerich's program produced a pair of All-HCAC performers in first-year Katilyn Carr (First Team) and senior Lizzie Smith (Hon. Mention). Two other Spartans, Delayne Sanchez and Izzy Dittmar, would also earn HCAC Hitter of the Week accolades during the course of the season, while sophomore Tori Blough was named to the Christopher M. Ragsdale HCAC All-Sportsmanship Team. Five Spartans would earn Academic All-HCAC recognition at the conclusion of the season. 

During her first year leading the Black & Gold in 2021, Manchester produced a pair of All-HCAC honorees in center fielder Kendal Torrence (Second Team) and shortstop Alexis Mokos (Hon. Mention). Alexis Mokos finished her Spartan career ranked fifth all-time in school history in batting average (.382), seventh all-time in doubles (30), and 10th all-time in home runs (7). Additionally, Lainey Bonser would earn Academic All-HCAC recognition, as well as a spot on the Christopher M. Ragsdale HCAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Despite the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Manchester softball team was able to play 32 games.

Prior to being elevated to head coach, Emerich spent five years as an assistant coach within the Manchester softball program, split across two separate stints. During her first stop in North Manchester, from 2013-2017, Emerich was a part of a Spartans program that won 60 games and produced eight All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference honorees. She also coached a pair of HCAC Freshmen of the Year.

In 2021, Emerich began her second stint as the Manchester Senior Woman Administrator. She previously held the post from from 2015 until 2017.

After a two-year stint as an assistant softball coach at NCAA Division II-member Quincy University (Ill.), Emerich returned to North Manchester in the fall of 2019 as its associate head coach.

Emerich earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from West Liberty University in 2013.  She played softball for the Hilltoppers and was an Academic All-American during her time at WLU.  Emerich graduated with a master of arts degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2016.

* Last Updated - June 17, 2025