Holly Aprile - Softball Coach - University of Louisville Athletic

Maddy Newman celebrates a triple with coach Holly Aprile

Photo by: Jermaine Bibb | Louisville Athletics

Holly Aprile

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
holly@GoCards.com
Phone:
852-1782

8th Season at Louisville (182-159-1)
18th Season Overall (453-393-2)

Assisted by: Griffin Joiner, Bryan Sabatella, and DeeDee Morris

Coaching Honors

2018 ACC Coach of the Year
2015 NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year

Player Honors

2 NFCA All-Americans
9 NFCA Southeast All-Region Selections
12 NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region Selection
49 NFCA Scholar Athletes
32 All-ACC Honorees
22 ACC All-Academic Team Selections
1 ACC Freshman of the Year

Team Honors

Guided Louisville to the 2019 Evanston Regional Final, and the 2023 Knoxville Regional
School Record Most Home Runs in a Season – 64 (2023)
School Record Most Stolen Bases in a Season – 106 (2019)
NCAA Leader in Triples per Game (2019)
Guided the Panthers to their first ACC Coastal Division title (2018)
ACC Championship runner-up (2018, 2015)
Guided Pitt to its first NCAA tournament appearance and regional final (2015)

Holly Aprile recently completed her seventh season at the helm of Louisville softball, compiling 182 wins and leading the Cardinals to two NCAA regional appearances (2019, 2023). During her tenure, Louisville has produced two NFCA All-Americans, nine All-Region selections, and 18 All-ACC honorees.

On July 16, 2018, Aprile was named the head softball coach at the University of Louisville. She became just the second head coach in the history of UofL softball following the retirement of Sandy Pearsall who started the program in 2000.

2025
Louisville (26-25) delivered a record-setting 2025 season, leading the ACC and ranking top-3 nationally in triples (24) and triples per game (0.48), while also posting the second-most stolen bases in program history with 90. The Cardinals finished 4-0 in extra innings, defeated No. 6 Florida State and No. 25 FAU, and went 4-2 against in-state opponents. Key moments included a 22-2 win over Cleveland State that tied the program record for runs in a game and triples in a game, along with a record eight stolen bases against Bellarmine. Redshirt freshman Char Lorenz earned All-ACC Second Team honors and broke the program’s freshman RBI record with 53—fifth-most in a single season overall. She was named a Freshman All-American by both D1Softball and Softball America.

2024
Louisville posted a 27-25 overall record while finishing 11th in the ACC (8-16), marking the program’s third winning season in four years. The Cardinals picked up four wins over nationally ranked opponents, including a marquee victory over Women’s College World Series participant Duke. Louisville’s defense remained one of the strongest aspects of its game, turning 21 double plays—third-most in the ACC. Riley Frizell led the charge offensively and was rewarded with first team All-Region honors, while both Frizell and Daisy Hess earned spots on the All-ACC Third Team.

2023
The 2023 campaign marked a turning point for the Cardinals as they recorded a 36-20 season—their highest win total since 2014. Louisville’s lineup delivered record-breaking power, setting a new school record with 64 home runs while ranking top-20 nationally in six offensive categories. Freshman catcher Sarah Gordon emerged as one of the top newcomers in the country, earning ACC Freshman of the Year and recognition on the NFCA Freshman Top 25 list. Veteran slugger Taylor Roby closed her career with a historic season, smashing a program-record 23 home runs and being named a Second Team NFCA All-American. In total, six Cardinals earned All-ACC recognitions—the most ever in a single season for Louisville.

2022
Despite being hampered by season-ending injuries to key players, Louisville managed to finish with a 27-25 record, showing impressive resilience and depth. Carmyn Greenwood had a standout season, leading the ACC with seven triples while also ranking among the conference leaders in hits, runs, and RBIs. Her performance earned her a spot on the All-ACC First Team and All-Region honors. Taylor Roby continued her consistent production at the plate with third team All-ACC honors, and Korbe Otis provided a spark in her debut season, securing a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team.

2021
In a challenging season affected by ongoing COVID-19 adjustments, the Cardinals secured 21 wins and notched signature victories and a tie against top-25 programs, including a series win over WCWS runner-up Florida State. Louisville’s competitive spirit and growth were evident as they remained a tough out throughout ACC play. Standouts included Celene Funke (ACC All-Tournament Team), Carmyn Greenwood (First Team All-Region), and Taylor Roby (Second Team All-Region), who each played key roles in the team’s success.

2020
The 2020 season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Cardinals still managed to post several memorable moments in just 23 games. Highlights included a 10-13 record, a victory over No. 21/25 Ole Miss, and a no-hitter thrown by Chardonnay Harris. Louisville also stunned No. 10 Oregon on the road, showing the team’s potential before the abrupt end to the season.

2019
In her first season leading the Cardinals, Aprile guided Louisville to a 35-23 record and a spot in the NCAA Regional Final, signaling an immediate impact on the program. Louisville picked up wins over six nationally ranked opponents, including an upset of No. 3 Florida State. The Cardinals showcased elite speed on the bases, setting school records with 106 stolen bases—led by Sidney Melton’s 35 swipes and Celene Funke’s 29. Louisville also led the NCAA in triples per game, paced by Funke’s nation-leading 13. The season saw multiple players earn All-ACC recognition and postseason accolades, establishing a strong foundation under Aprile’s leadership.

Pittsburgh (2004–2018)
Before arriving at Louisville, Holly Aprile spent 14 years at the University of Pittsburgh, including 10 as head coach. She led the Panthers to a 2018 ACC Coastal Division title and was named ACC Coach of the Year that season. Aprile guided Pitt to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015, reaching the regional final. Under her leadership, the program achieved multiple milestones, including a school-record 37 wins, a national ranking, and consistent offensive success in categories such as home runs and slugging percentage. Her teams also earned NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors and set numerous program records during their transition from the BIG EAST to the ACC.

South Carolina (1995–2004)
Aprile served as an assistant coach at South Carolina for nine seasons. During her tenure, she helped guide the Gamecocks to five SEC championships, five NCAA Regional appearances, and a trip to the 1997 Women’s College World Series. She was the program’s recruiting coordinator and worked primarily with pitchers and outfielders while helping develop a potent offense.

Eastern Illinois (1993–1995)
She began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Eastern Illinois, where she worked with pitchers and outfielders. During her two-year stint, the team won 54 games and finished as runner-up in the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament in 1994.

Playing Career (UMass & Team USA)
As a player, Aprile was a standout at UMass from 1989–1992, earning four All-Atlantic 10 selections. She was named Atlantic 10 Rookie, Player, and Pitcher of the Year during her career and led the Minutewomen to a third-place finish at the 1992 Women’s College World Series, earning All-America and WCWS All-Tournament honors. Aprile later competed for Team USA from 1993–1999, helping the national team capture gold medals in international events including the Pan-Am Qualifiers and South Pacific Classic.

The Afton, N.Y., native earned her bachelor’s in sports management from UMass in 1992 and received her master’s degree in political science from Eastern Illinois in 1995.

Holly Aprile File

Coaching Career

Louisville (Head Coach) | 2019 –present

Guided Louisville to the 2019 Evanston Regional Final, and the 2023 Knoxville Regional
2 NFCA All-Americans
9 NFCA All-Southeast Region Selections
18 All-ACC honorees
12 ACC All-Academic Team selections
30 NFCA Scholar Athlete selections
Led the nation in triples per game as a team (2019); Celene Funke led the nation in triples

Pittsburgh (Head Coach) | 2009-18; (271-234/.537)
(Assistant Coach) | 2004-08