SIOUX CITY — Bishop Heelan announced today that Lexie Stolen ‘17 has been named the new head softball coach.
Stolen was a co-head coach with Chris Fitzpatrick during the 2023 season, going 18-20 with a very young, but coachable group. They ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak.
“Lexie Stolen is a softball name that northwest Iowa and the Sioux City metro already knows,” Fitzpatrick said. “Lexie has a great softball mind with leadership skills that the players will appreciate and gravitate towards. Lexie is a true Crusader who is a wonderful fit for a great softball program.”
She was also an assistant coach during the 2020 under then-head coach Zach Nelson.
“I just want to thank Bishop Heelan for giving me this opportunity to coach for my alma mater,” Stolen said. “I was lucky enough to become a part of this program 4 years ago and learned so much from Zach and Fitz during that time. Those two not only taught me how to become a good softball coach, but also how to build great relationships while doing it.”
Stolen said she can’t wait to keep working with the Crusaders she’s gotten to know during her three-year assistant role.
“We have individuals who are willing to go above and beyond not only on the field, but also for the culture of Heelan softball,” Stolen said.
As a softball player at Bishop Heelan, Stolen hit .510 in 2017, which is still a school record today. In her career, Stolen had a batting average of .320 or higher in four of the five years she played varsity. She started in 23 games as an eighth grader. Stolen hit 23 home runs among her five-year tenure as a Crusader, and she knocked in 123 career RBIs.
“She was an outstanding player in high school and college and brings a wealth of knowledge and excitement to the program,” said Jay Wright, Bishop Heelan Co-Activities Director.
Stolen took her talents across town to Morningside University. Stolen holds the school single-season home run record with 19 in 2021, and she still holds the record for career homers at 39. She knocked in 159 runs with Morningside.