Contact: Tim Ertle

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Former Ohio State standout Courtney Pruner, a two-time All-Big Ten selection, has been named an assistant softball coach at Cleveland State. Pruner's main responsibilities will include handling the Vikings pitching staff while assisting with recruiting.

"We're very excited to add Courtney to our staff," head coach Angie Nicholson said. "She will serve as our pitching coach, but is able to help us with many facets of our program. Courtney will help with pitching, but she can also instruct our players in hitting, defense and base running. We're very fortunate to get someone that brings so much to the table."

Pruner spent last season coaching at her alma mater, Akron's Ellet High School, where she was an all-city selection all four seasons. She was a three-time all-state performer and was named the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005. When she graduated, she held the Ohio High School Athletic Association record for home runs in a career.

A Sport and Leisure Studies major at Ohio State, Pruner fought injuries to start 148 consecutive games to conclude her career and produced whenever she was on the field. In both 2007 and 2010 she earned first team All-Big Ten honors and finished in the top 10 in a handful of offensive categories, including second with 38 career homers. Additionally, the two-time Buckeye captain earned six career victories in the circle and recorded 50 strikeouts in 53 innings.

In addition to her duties with Cleveland State, Pruner coaches the Ohio Power softball team with former Viking Jaclyn Carpenter.