Stan Karich, a longtime respected coach and promoter of girls' fastpitch softball in the Twin Ports community, spent his tenth season with UMD in 2021. Karich works in all facets of the game, with his emphasis keyed on the pitching staff.
In 2019, Karich piloted the pitching staff to the Bulldogs third NCAA Regional appearance in four years. Junior Breanna Swint and freshman Sam Pederson threw all but 3.2 innings during the season. Swint led the way with 201.1 innings pitched and posted an 18-12 record with a 2.79 ERA. Pederson threw 162.1 innings posting a 15-9 record with a 3.06 ERA.
During his first two years at UMD, Karich helped steer the Bulldogs to the 2012 NCAA tournament and a share of the 2013 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title. During that season, he mentored ace Julia Nealer who was bestowed with a pair of Pitcher of the Week nods and a first team all-conference accolade on her way to a 25-5 record with a 1.58 ERA, and the rest of the staff to a 2.04 ERA. Karich also advised the middle infield duo of Tyra Kerr, a three-time NSIC first team selection and 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, and Kierra Jeffers, a two-time all-conference honoree, and recent All-American honorees Hannah Schmoll, Becky Smith, and Natalie Wright.
Karich's stint, thus far, has seen over 50 school single-season and career records either matched or shattered including team marks for games played (60), runs (422), home runs (71), slugging percentage (.536), stolen bases (129), stolen base attempts (145), and walks (224). Individually, several Bulldogs earned post season awards. In addition to Kerr, Jeffers and Nealer, first team All-NSIC selections include Hannah Schmoll (2018), Ashley Lewis (2016), Natalie Wright (2016) Jordan Rice (2015), Hannah Schmoll (2015) and Sami Schnyder (2014). Both Schmoll and Becky Smith were top 10 finalists for the NFCA's inaugural Freshman of the Year Award in 2014.
Raised in Aurora, Minnesota, Karich was fortunate to have played in an era when fastpitch softball was at it’s best. He attributes his love and knowledge of the game to those experienced players that mentored him. He graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and coaching.
