Elysse Petrie joined the Red Flash softball program in August 2021 as an assistant coach, where she will work primarily with the pitching staff.
During her second season in 2023, the Saint Francis pitching staff set a new single-season program record in strikeouts (343). Grace Vesco ranked fourth in single-season program history in strikeouts (185) and Rachel Marsden was seventh (150). Petrie assisted Marsden to NFCA Second Team All-Region (UTIL/P), First Team All-NEC (P & DP) and NEC All-Tournament Team. Vesco was also selected First Team All-NEC (P).
In her first season with the Red Flash in 2022, Petrie guided Marsden to NFCA First Team All-Region (UTIL/P), NEC Pitcher of the Year and All-NEC First Team (P). She also assisted Grace Vesco to NFCA Third Team All-Region, All-NEC First Team (P) and NEC Tournament MVP. Marsden ranked third in single-season program history in wins (20) and Vesco ranked fourth (at the time) in strikeouts (162). As a staff, the pitchers ranked third (at the time) in single-season history in strikeouts thrown (309) and ERA (2.12).
Petrie arrived in Loretto after a stint as a graduate assistant at the University of Indianapolis, where she earned her Master of Science in Sports Management. She assisted in scouting, recruiting, daily practices, and team travel arrangements and working with the pitching staff.
She helped guide a 46-8 Greyhounds' team in 2021 that clinched the GLVC Championship and qualified for the NCAA DII Midwest Regional. The team's 25-game winning streak was the longest in Division II that season. She assisted one pitcher to a 23-3 record and 1.21 ERA and another to a 21-4 record with a 1.89 ERA. She coached one Midwest Pitcher of the Year, NFCA Division II Freshman of the Year and NFCA Division II Pitcher of the Year award finalist. Indianapolis was selected as the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
Petrie is a 2017 graduate of Centre College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. As a player, she was a two-time SAA All-Conference Honorable Mention and SAA All-Tournament Team selection.
In her playing career, Petrie had the fewest earned runs allowed (178), second-lowest ERA (3.26) and second-fewest walks (76) in school history. She also ranked top-10 in innings pitched (272.2), appearances (60), games started (41), complete games (26), wins (15), shutouts (three), strikeouts (140), hits allowed (350).
