Meet The Team

Chris & Casey Flanagan

ABSA is a family business owned and operated by Chris and Casey Flanagan since 2014.

Chris, a graduate of Lamar University with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, has been a college coach since 2011, and was a scout in the Cincinnati Reds organization for 9 years.

Casey, a graduate of the University of North Texas and Texas Tech University, is a BSN-RN at a large hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Carlos Ramirez

Carlos Ramirez is in his second term with the Weatherford College coaching staff after coaching catchers at Hawaii Pacific University for two seasons.

He spent his playing years at Miami Dade College and the University of Miami along with playing professionally for the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels.

Ramirez has over 20 years of experience coaching and scouting in the Red Sox organization!

Naomi Warren

Warren was born and raised in Springfield, and finished out her senior year of high school in Fort Worth at Boswell High School. In 2022 a character award was introduced in her name, the Naomi Warren Award, awarded to someone who displayed great sportsmanship, character, and comradery throughout the season.

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Warren played volleyball at Pratt Junior College in Pratt, KS from 2017-2019, and finished her college career at York College (now York University) in Nebraska where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management in 2021.

Warren continued her education at York earning her Masters Degree in Organizational and Global Leadership with a concentration in Sports Management while also working as a Graduate Assistant for the Volleyball team from 2021-2023.

Warren also coaches locally at Integrity Volleyball Club.

She enjoys teaching athletes to be accountable, mentally tough, and fostering their own love of the sport.

Shannon Gower

Shannon Gower is the longest tenured coach in Texas Wesleyan Softball history, entering her 18th season in 2022. In 2009, Gower became the winningest coach in program history, a record that now stands at 397. After 15 seasons, Gower holds an overall record of 397-368 (.519) leaving her just three wins shy of the 400 plateau. During her tenure, she has coached 54 All-Conference players, five Conference Players of the Year, 10 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, and three All-Americans.

Shannon has recorded two conference championships (2010 and 2012) and made one appearance at the NAIA National Championship Opening Round (2012).  In addition, her 2006 team cracked the NAIA record at the time with 66 home runs.

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Marvin Grover

Coach Marvin Grover is a seasoned coach and educator with a passion fro nurturing young talent. With a background as a former college football and basketball coach, he brings a wealth of experience to the table. He has also served as the head coach in high school football, basketball and track, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to athletic development. 

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In addition to his coaching career, he is the proud owner of Heritage Youth Academy, where he strives to inspire and mentor the next generation of athletes. Through his extensive knowledge and expertise, he empowers young players to reach their full potential.

Recognizing the challenges that youth players and parents face in the college recruiting process, Coach Grover has founded Marvin Grover Consulting. This venture is dedicated to providing invaluable guidance and support to navigate the complexities of college recruiting. He is committed to helping aspiring athletes achieve their dreams of playing at the collegiate level.

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Coach Grover's unwavering commitment to sports and education has left an indelible mark on countless athletes, and his legacy continues to thrive through his various ventures.

Sara Allen

Coach Allen joined  CIU in the fall of 2017 and heads into her sixth season as the RAMS first ever head softball coach. Sionce her arrival her teams have seen several achievements such as her 2020 squad was named an NCCAA Scholar team and slo honored by the AAC as the Women's Champions of Character Team.
 

As a catcher for the Toreros in Division 1 University of San Diego, Allen was a 3-time All-PCSC honoree and a 3- time USD offensive player of the year. She finishes her career at USD making 182 starts for the Toreros. She hit 159-503, with 33 doubles, 12 triples, 12 home runs, 81 RBls and 79 tuns scores. She was named the 2006 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a 2005 ESPN Co-SIDA Academic All American. 

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Allen holds a 82-138-1 Record at the helm for the Rams.

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Allen earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from the University of San Diego, California in 2006 and a master's degree in social and political science from Georgia Southern University in 2008.

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Allen lives in Columbia with her husband Seth and their two dogs, Louie and Hank.

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Coach Winn

Maria Winn-Ratliff, owner of a 728-311-1 record, is in her second season as the third head coach in program history.

In her first spring season in 2022 after taking the helms of the program in November of 2021, the Cardinals were 21-35.

“We are extremely excited about having Maria and her husband Ed join the Cardinal family,” said TVCC athletic director Eddie Kite upon her arrival. “Her success at previous schools should elevate the softball program to new heights. I believe the softball program is in great hands and cannot wait to watch the team play this spring.”
 

 Winn-Ratliff is no stranger to Region XIV. The athletic director/head softball coach at Galveston College the past year, was head softball coach at Tyler Junior College for three seasons from 2016-19. She led TJC to three NJCAA tournament appearances in compiling a 164-42 record.

She was 11-1 against the Cardinals while at TJC.

Prior to TJC, she had a highly successful 12-year tenure at Western Nebraska Community College from 2004-16. At Western Nebraska, she posted a 535-218-1 record, qualified for eight NJCAA tournaments and won eight conference championships.
 

In her last four seasons at Western Nebraska, Winn-Ratliff recorded 50-plus wins each season.

Winn-Ratliff has eight Coach of the Year awards to her credit (six at Western Nebraska and two at Tyler) and has coached 15 NJCAA All-Americans.
 

She also served as head coach one season at Louisiana Tech University and had tenures as an assistant coach at Central Methodist University, Armstrong Atlantic State University and Bemidji State University.
 

Winn-Ratliff has a Master of Education from Central Methodist University and Master of Public Health from Armstrong Atlantic State University. She received a Bachelor of Science from Columbia College. She also played softball two seasons at Missouri Valley College and two seasons at Columbia College.

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Coach Cromwell

Casey Cromwell was announced as the fourth head coach in WashU softball history on September 15, 2022.

In her first year at the helm, Cromwell's Bears finished with a 20-18 record which included a sweep of UAA opponent Emory. Katie Gould was named the UAA Position Player of the Year, which marked the second-straight year the Bears received this honor. Gould also received a first team nod after finishing the season with a .406 batting average, 52 hits, five triples, two doubles, 12 RBi, 64 bases and 11 stolen bases in 14 attempts. She went on to earn National Fastpitch Coaches Association Region VIII Second Team honors. 

Additionally, Holly Stoner was named All-UAA first team while Erin Reardon and Jordan Rossi both picked up All-UAA Second Team honors. Academically, five Bears - Maggie Baumstark, Katie Gould, Payton Irwin, Natalia Pilpil, Tami Wong - were named to the College Sports Communicators All-District team. A total of 17 softball players picked up Academic All-UAA honors.

Prior to WashU, Cromwell spent five seasons as the head coach at nearby Fontbonne University where she has steadily increased the success of the Griffins' program, culminating in a 2022 SLIAC title and the program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2015. Additionally, in 2022, the Griffins led all of Division III in double plays per game with .61.
 
During Cromwell's tenure at Fontbonne, she coached 21 SLIAC all-conference selections and 47 NFCA all-academic honorees. The Griffins participated in over 300 hours of community engagement per year and held a grade-point average above 3.5.
 
Off the field, Cromwell was the SAAC leader for the University, taught classes in sports management, and served as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion and Mental Health Committees, the Fontbonne Diversity and Inclusion representative in the SLIAC, the SLIAC Chair Representative and the Regional Advisory Committee representative for the SLIAC.
 
Prior to her time at Fontbonne, Cromwell began her coaching career at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW) where she served as a graduate assistant for two years, focusing on the team's defense, assisting with strength and conditioning workouts, practice plans, mental training, statistics, winter workouts, team travel and hitting clinics. Cromwell also handled the team's equipment and uniform orders, field maintenance and team retreats. During her time there, she helped improve fielding percentage from .916 in 2015 to .943 in 2017.
 
Cromwell began her playing career at Weatherford College in Texas where she played third base and was an all-conference and all-region selection with a .378 average, 13 doubles, 13 home runs and 45 RBI. She went on to play her final three years at Lamar University in Texas, where she played second and third base, earning all-conference honors. Cromwell finished her career as the leader in home runs (19), RBI (69), doubles (21), and hit by pitch (29).
 
Cromwell holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science with a minor in kinesiology from Lamar and obtained her master's degree in organizational leadership and supervision from IPFW in 2017.

Stefan Garrett

Stefan Garrett played college ball at Clarendon College and Brookhaven College before three shoulder surgeries ended his playing career. He transitioned into college coaching at Brookhaven College and Richland College where he served as the Pitching Coach for 3 years and the infield/hitting coach for 4 years.

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He has coached numerous teams from 9u to 18u and in 2017, Stefan decided to go into business for himself and opened D-BAT in Weatherford where he is still currently the Owner/Operator.

He also owns a team in the Metro Scout Collegiate League where he coaches college players from all over the country each summer. 

Brooke Richards

Brooke is currently a Pitching Coach for Texas Wesleyan & Softball Instructor, and she pitched against 2008 Olympic Softball Team (June 2008).

Other accolades include:

• Scholarship Athlete for Tarleton State University (Exercise Sports Science & Fitness Management)

• Most Wins in a Single Season for TSU

• Lonestar Conference Honors/Awards

  • Newcomer of the Year (2006)

  • Pitcher of the Week (2007 & 2008)

  • First Team UT/P (2007 & 2008)

• All-State Utility Player Midway High School (2004)

Brittnie Henderson

Brittnie Henderson came to Weatherford College in 2017 to take the role as assistant coach for the Lady Coyote basketball team.

Coach Henderson attended Duncanville High School and Tarleton State University. She was a team captain for the Pantherettes and was an academic All-District selection. At Tarleton, she played from 2006 to 2011 and was named second-team All-Lone Star Conference and Comeback Athlete of the Year.

Prior to joining the WC coaching staff, Henderson worked at Hill College, Paris Junior College and Connors State University in Warner, Oklahoma.

She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in kinesiology.

She is married to Will Henderson and has three daughters, Izzy Cook, Asiya Henderson and Zoey Henderson; and one son, Isaiah Henderson.

Leah Amico

Leah is an American former collegiate All-American, three-time Olympian, left-handed-hitting softball outfielder and sports commentator originally from Chino, California! 

She's best known for playing for the Arizona Wildcats (1993–1997, winning three National Championships) and earning gold medals at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics. She is a USA Softball Hall of Fame honoree.

Ed Zarzabal

Coach Ed Zarzabal is entering his 9th season at  Texas Lutheran University (TLU) as an assistant Softball Coach.

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8-Straight Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Champions

2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS and NFCA D-3 National Coaching Staff of the Year

2021 NATIONAL RUNNER-UPS and NFCA D-3 West Region Coaching Staff of the year

2022 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST and NFCA D-3 West Region Coaching Staff of the year

Antonio Snell

Coach Snell has been coaching for a total of 13 years on the AAU circuit and high school level. He is also and independent recruiter and scout evaluator.

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Coach Snell is married to Dyshenique Snell and has 2 awesome children, AJ and Ay'Zeria. 

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From Coach Snell"I'm looking forward to working, learning, and growing with Chris, Casey, Brooke and the rest of the ABSA family"

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Kelley Newell

Kelley Newell is an assistant softball coach at St Cloud State University, in Minnesota. She graduated from Bethel University in MN in 2011, where she played softball and graduated with a teaching degree.

Since then she has traveled around the world using softball to build relationships with other cultures as well as coach with incredible coaches and players from around America.

She’s been able to use softball in places like Myanmar, Egypt, China, Israel, and a variety of countries in Europe. She lived in Israel coaching and playing, helping national and league teams.. As well as getting to travel with their teams to coach and play in Women’s European Cup tournaments.  She continues to do this.

She is also in full time ministry in Minnesota, has a teaching background she loves to use in a variety of ways, and being an athlete has always been a part of her story. 

 She believes softball as well as other sports are a universal language that bridge so many gaps between people and are just a great way to spread some joy and love at home and around the world! Coaching is a joy to her! 

Renee Gillispie

Renee Gillispie is an American college softball coach and a former college player. Gillispie is currently the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes softball team of the University of Iowa.

Gillispie first attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she played for the softball team in 1981. After her freshman year, she transferred to West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, where she was a three-year starter. As a player, she set nine career pitching records including most wins, most strikeouts and most saves at West Texas A&M. In 2005, Gillispie was inducted into the West Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame.
 

Renee completed her fifth season as the head coach of the University of Iowa softball program in 2023.  She was selected as the fifth head coach in program history on June 8, 2018.

2023! That year, the Hawkeyes finished 35-27, and 10-13 in Big Ten play. Their 35 wins is the most in a season since 2009.

Iowa made its first conference tournament appearance since 2019. The Hawkeyes accepted an invite to the National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC) in Fort Collins, Colo. They went 4-0 on their way to the NISC championship title.
 

Coach Gillispie picked up her 100th win with Iowa on March 18th at USF. They defeated the Bulls 12-4 in six innings. Gillispie ranks 15th amongst active coaches in D1 with 947 wins.

Coach Machuca

Erica Machuca is currently the head middle school volleyball coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle home of the back to back state champions in volleyball and football.

Coach Machuca was named an assistant volleyball coach at Dallas College North Lake in December 2022-2023 and was an assistant coach at Dallas College Cedar Valley in 2021-2022, helping the Suns advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Southwest District championship for the first time since 2003. She coached NJCAA Division III Second Team All-American setter Kalaya Pierce, who eclipsed 1,000 assists during the season.

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Since 2023 Coach Machuca has served as the head coach of Fieldhouse Volleyball Club team out of North Lake, TX and has also coached at Instinct Volleyball club. 

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From 2009-22, she was the head coach and Club director of AAA Volleyball Club out of Denton, Texas. Her 18U team cracked the Top 10 in AAU National Championships in Orlando, Florida, finishing 10th out of 52 teams.

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From 2000-06, Machuca coached at Father Yermo High School in El Paso.

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Coach Machuca graduated with bachelor of science and human services from the University of Phoenix in 2007 and pursuing her MBA. 

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She is married to Jesus Machuca Jr., and the couple has two sons and a daughter, Jakob, Brandon and Ashley, all who play college sports.