Hitting/Pitching Summit
Beth Mullins Hitting
One of the top young assistant coaches in the country, Mullins most recently coached at Western Kentucky following tenures at UAB and Georgia Southern.
"Beth is one of the top young coaches in college softball," Stuedeman said. "She's a player's coach who will undoubtedly make a positive impact in our Mississippi State program. She brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to MSU. We are very fortunate to have a coach of Beth's caliber become an integral part of our Bulldog family."
This past season, Mullins tutored the Western Kentucky hitters to the highest batting average in school history (.279). The Lady Toppers also set single-season records for triples (14), RBI (221) and slugging percentage (.419).
Mullins made the move to WKU following a three-year stint at her alma mater, UAB. In her final season with the Blazers (2010), the team broke 15 individual and team offensive records while leading the program to its first NCAA Regional appearance. The squad also topped Conference USA in six offensive categories.
Under her watch in Birmingham, UAB improved in team batting average, doubles, triples, RBI and runs scored each season.
Mullins returned to her alma mater after a two-year stop as assistant coach at Georgia Southern. During that stint, she helped the Eagles to a Southern Conference Tournament title and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.
In 2006, she tutored SoCon Player of the Year Shanita Black, who broke 12 school records en route to earning conference tournament Most Outstanding Player and All-Southeast Region accolades.
A starter for the Blazers from 2001-04, Mullins earned second team All-C-USA and all-freshman honors during her playing career.
As a sophomore, Mullins topped the Blazers in RBI as the team posted a program-best 39 victories. She finished her collegiate career tied for the top spot in all-time home runs, and she still ranks in the Top 10 in that offensive category along with multiple others.
"I am excited and honored to be a part of the Bulldog family. I want to thank Vann for giving me the opportunity to coach in the SEC and at this great University," Mullins said. "I look forward to working with Vann, the team and the rest of the MSU softball staff.
Bonnie Meyer –Pitching Curve
Assistant Coach Bonnie Bynum as helped guide the Lady Toppers the last four seasons under head coach Tyra Perry.
Bynum, who works with the WKU pitching staff, worked in three new pitchers to the WKU pitching staff in the 2010 season. Bynum led the pitchers to a total of 212 strikeouts during the 2010 season with Kim Wagner recording 102 strikeouts and a record of 15-10 with a 2.38 ERA.
In 2009 Bynum led Ryan Rogge to a second Team All-Sun Belt selection after leading the senior to an overall record of 27-10. Rogge, who finished the season with a 1.66 ERA, gave up just 188 hits, 74 runs and 28 walks while striking out 152 batters. During the conference tournament, she finished with a 3-2 record after pitching five complete games and giving up just ten earned runs in 34.1 innings of work.
Bynum comes from Tennessee Tech, where she lettered all four years for the Golden Eagles on the pitching staff. She finished her career with 103 victories, including a record-setting 34 wins in 2007, and was twice named TTU's Outstanding Female Athlete of the year. During her junior season, the Fayetteville, Ga., native was named OVC Pitcher and Female Athlete of the Year. She earned first-team all-OVC and OVC Tournament Most Valuable Player accolades for three straight years.
Bynum ended her career appearing in 193 games, throwing 1,021 strikeouts and six no-hitters. She finished '07 ranked seventh nationally in victories. During her senior year, she posted a 1.50 earned run average, throwing 33 complete games and 11 shutouts while pitching over 300 innings.
