ANDERSON, S.C. – After serving four seasons as the program's Assistant Coach, the Anderson University Athletics Department and Vice President for Athletics Dr. Bert Epting have announced that Kelly Roberts will take over the reins of the softball program and assume the role of Head Coach, effective immediately.
 
"We are so excited to welcome Coach Roberts as our next head coach of Anderson University Softball," said Epting. "She has been an integral part of our university and program for the last four years and she is going to continue to be a tremendous leader for our young ladies. With her experience and ability to identify talent that first AU, we have a bright future ahead for Trojan Softball. Her energy, passion, and vision are infectious, combined with her ability to integrate her faith, will make Anderson Softball a destination for years to come."
 
During her first season as an assistant with the Trojans, Roberts played an integral role in the success of the program. Alongside Head Coach Tommy Hewitt, she was honored as the Regional Coaching Staff of the Year while also mentoring SAC sophomore pitcher Laken Maxwell who earned SAC Pitcher of the Year and Region Pitcher of the Year honors following the 2022 season. Roberts also helped lead the team to three NCAA appearances and a conference championship in 2024 while coaching pitchers Carson Hobbs and Katie Morris who also received all-conference pitching awards.
 
"I am incredibly honored and excited to step into the role of Head Softball Coach at Anderson University," said Roberts. "I would like to thank Dr. Epting for entrusting me to take over the softball program. This program has a rich tradition of excellence, and I'm committed to building on that legacy by fostering a culture of hard work, integrity, and teamwork. I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead such a dedicated group of student-athletes and look forward what we can accomplish together on and off the field."
 
Roberts joined the Trojans after serving two seasons as an assistant coach/pitching coach at Gardner-Webb University. Prior to Gardner-Webb (2019-2021), she spent a season at Wingate University (2018-2019) and was at Upper Iowa from (2015-2018). At Upper Iowa, Roberts was the assistant coach and pitching coach, while also working with fundraising, community engagement, recruiting, field maintenance and monitoring academics. She helped lead Upper Iowa to the NSIC Tournament championship in 2016. The team earned first place in the NFCA Academic Award in 2016 and 2017, compiling a team GPA of 3.764 in 2016 and 3.8 in 2017.
 
Roberts graduated from Tusculum in 2014 and spent time as a camp advisor and team coach at USA Preps Softball Camp in Palmdale, Calif. She became the graduate coach at the University of Rio Grande in August of 2014, earning her master's degree in athletic Coaching Leadership.
 
Roberts played collegiately at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she helped lead the team to back-to-back PSAC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. The Crimson Hawks won the region title in 2021, advancing to the NCAA Division II World Series. Roberts earned All-PSAC honors as a sophomore, then transferred to Tusculum for her final two seasons. The Pioneers won the SAC title in 2013, with Roberts earning a spot on the All-SAC Tournament Team. She was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2014 while breaking the school's single-season and career shutout record.
 
"I want to sincerely thank Coach Tommy Hewitt for the incredible foundation he built here at Anderon University. His vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment have shaped this program into what it is today. It is a privilege to follow in his footsteps, and I'm deeply grateful for the example he's set and the legacy he leaves behind."