NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Smith College Director of Athletics and Recreation Kristin Hughes has announced that Emily Lopez will be the permanent head coach of the softball program.

"I am very pleased to announce the hiring of Emily Lopez as our head softball coach," said Hughes. "Emily stepped in this past season and did a tremendous job for us and has been hitting the recruiting trails hard this summer. I am excited to watch Emily build this program an look forward to her contributions to our department."

Lopez has served as the interim head coach of the Pioneers' softball squad since April 13, 2016.

"I want to thank Kristin Hughes and the search committee for the opportunity to lead the Pioneer softball program," said Lopez. "Smith College is an outstanding institution that challenges women to grow academically, socially and athletically, and I am honored to be able to share my passion for softball with this community."

Lopez came to Smith from Division III Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges (CMS), where she spent three seasons as an assistant coach following a four-year playing career. In her seven years with the program, CMS won five conference championships and made six appearances in the NCAA Division III National Tournament (four as a player, two as a coach).

As a student-athlete, Lopez was a four-year starting shortstop and three-time All-Conference selection. She served as a team captain for two years and graduated holding the program records for career home runs and walks. As a senior, she was named CMS Female Athlete of the Year.

In the summer of 2014, Lopez realized her dream to play softball overseas and spent a season in Germany with the Karlsruhe Cougars of the German First Division (Bundesliga). She played for the highest-level team and helped coach the second-level and youth teams.

Originally from Fresno, Calif., Lopez graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, focusing on human movement. Her thesis, titled "Stick Balancing: Response Delay and Stability," investigated control mechanisms governing human balance.