COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri Softball Head Coach Larissa Anderson announced Friday the addition of Assistant Coach Bella Norton to the Tigers staff. Norton will work primarily with the Mizzou catchers along with instructing the offense.
"Bella Norton brings a wealth of expertise to Mizzou Softball, drawing from her impressive background as a coach and coordinator," Anderson said of Norton. "Her innovative training plans, proven success in scouting and game day administration showcase her deep understanding of the sport. At Mizzou, she will oversee the catching department and assist with hitting development, leveraging her experience to elevate player performance. We enthusiastically welcome Bella into our Mizzou Softball family."
Norton heads to Mizzou after spending the past two seasons at Virginia.
At Virginia, Norton worked with both the catchers and base runners. She also assisted with the Cavaliers' offense, opponent scouting, recruiting, alumni engagement and community service projects.
"Bella's leadership and dedication to recruiting, community engagement, and alumni relations further highlight her commitment to building a thriving program," Anderson added of Norton.
In 2024, Norton helped the Cavaliers secure an NCAA Tournament berth for the second time in program history as Virginia advanced to the championship game at the NCAA Knoxville Regional. She was also a member of the ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Virginia finished fourth in the ACC after winning seven-of-eight series in conference play, including series wins over No. 11 Clemson and at No. 3 Duke.
With Norton on staff, a trio of players were awarded 2024 All-ACC honors with Eden Bigham and Jade Hylton each earning first-team honors. Both players were also named NFCA All-Region first team selections.
Norton, a McLean, Virginia, native, was an NFCA All-Region catcher and designated player at Indiana (2017-2021) before joining the coaching ranks. She led the Hoosiers in 2021 with a .341 batting average and made 196 career starts at Indiana.
Norton has also coached at MLB camps along with leading the Virginia Glory National Team and with her Catch 42 Softball business.
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