COLUMBIA, Mo. - Former Mizzou softball All-Americans, Ashley Fleming and Chelsea Thomas, have been named the coaches of McKendree softball, as announced Tuesday by McKendree University Athletics. Fleming will be the new head softball coach, while Thomas will serve as the team's top assistant and pitching coach.

"McKendree is getting a pair of outstanding young coaches in Ashley and Chelsea," Mizzou softball head coach Ehren Earleywine said. "Ashley will make a great head coach. Since I've known her, she has always been a student of the game and loves to teach. She's a stickler for detail and will implement a high-level Division I plan into everything she does at McKendree."

"Chelsea has all the things you look for in a pitching coach. She has top-level pitching experience and proven results as a Division I pitching coach. Chelsea will pass on the best mechanical instruction available. The combination of Ashley and Chelsea packs a 1-2 punch that could win at any level."

Both Fleming and Thomas enjoyed standout careers with Mizzou softball, and helped lead the program to three straight trips to the Women's College World Series from 2009-11. Fleming was a two-time NFCA Second Team All-American, three-time All-Big 12 selection, and ranks in the top-10 in eight Mizzou softball career hitting records.

Thomas, a three-time NFCA First Team All-American honoree, racked up a historic career in the Black and Gold from 2009-13. The Pleasantville, Iowa, native left the Tigers' program as the career leader in wins (111) and strikeouts (1,174). Thomas also achieved Big 12 Pitcher of the Year honors in 2011 and 2012, and was named to the WCWS All-Tournament team following Mizzou's 2011 postseason run. 

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