Few words draw eyes to a sports-themed employment résumé more swiftly than “All-American.”
Brittany Gray’s long-winded list of college softball accomplishments as a University of Georgia pitcher helped her find a place to lend her expertise as a coach. Turns out it was in her home state.
Gray, a 2014 Greenwood graduate who turns 27 later this month, will soon be entering her second year as Indiana State’s pitching coach.
After six years of living outside state lines, Gray is happy to be back.
“Being away at college, you never realize how much you miss it until you come back and visit,” Gray said. “I loved the University of Georgia. The time of my life. But I never realized how much I missed my family.”
Being part of the Sycamores’ coaching staff is a continuation of Gray’s softball journey, which began as a 10-year-old playing travel ball for the first time.
Her prep softball career included being a four-time all-Mid-State Conference selection; twice Gray was named the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year.
She took her fastball/curveball/changeup south to the University of Georgia, a school she had verbally committed to in the fall of 2011 as a high school sophomore.
The wait was well worth it for both sides. Gray had a career record of 60-27 for the Bulldogs with an earned-run average of 2.06. She participated in a total of 126 games and pitched 518 2/3 innings.
As a senior in 2018, Gray bordered on being unhittable. She was dominating to the tune of a 16-1 record and nation-best 0.48 ERA before a torn bicep ended her season early.
Gray was still named all-Southeastern Conference and second team All-American. She helped lead the Bulldogs to postseason appearances all four seasons, including a College World Series appearance her senior campaign.
The Bulldogs’ record book contains a hearty helping of Gray’s name. She is No. 1 in single-season ERA, and in the top 10 in various career categories, including fifth in ERA and victories, sixth in appearances and seventh in starts and innings pitched.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and minored in sign language. Gray then spent two seasons at the University of Missouri as a graduate assistant, earning her master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in positive coaching.
Mizzou finished the 2021 season with a 42-17 mark, making it to the NCAA Super Regional. This past spring, Gray’s first season at ISU, the Sycamores finished with a 25-27 record.
Having spent the majority of her years on softball diamonds near and far, Gray’s ability to transition from dominant right-hander to a guiding light for those she coaches has been impressively seamless.
Delivering the ball or delivering advice, she’s good.
Head coach Mike Perniciaro takes care of the hitting instruction for the Sycamores, Gray works with the pitchers and another assistant, Rachel O’Malley, helps sharpen ISU squads defensively.
Away from softball, Gray and her fiancé, Corbin Cardenas, plan to wed on July 29, 2023.
Socially and professionally, Gray is at the top of her game.
“The competitiveness in the game is so fun, and one of my goals was to give back to the game the way the game gave to me,” Gray said, “whether that’s giving lessons or actually coaching the student-athletes.
“I enjoy teaching them lessons I wish I had learned when I was younger, whether it be on or off the field.”
