Saint Francis University softball announced the hiring of Mel Savala as the program's assistant coach in September 2023. The hire was head coach Beth Krysiak's first with Saint Francis after she was announced as the 13th head coach in program history on Aug. 8, 2023.
In her first season, Savala assisted Saint Francis to NEC Tournament and NEC Regular Season titles. She was part of the NEC Coaching staff of the Year alongside Krysiak and volunteer assistant Ry Godde. She worked primarily with hitting and the outfield and helped Saint Francis rank second in program history in batting average (.303), fourth in hits (440) and fifth in RBIs (280) and doubles (76).
Under her guidance, Savannah Nash earned NFCA Third Team All-Region (OF) and First Team All-NEC (OF), while Ashley Wruble added Second Team All-NEC (OF) honors.
She also assisted the hitting of Olivia Ulam, who earned NFCA Second Team All-Region (1B) and First Team All-NEC (1B), Rachel Marsden, who earned NFCA Second Team All-Region (P/UTIL) and First Team All-NEC (P and DP), Kaylie Walters, who earned First Team All-NEC (SS) and NEC All-Rookie Team, Ashley Orischak, who earned First Team All-NEC (2B), Annabelle Farmer, who earned Second Team All-NEC (C) and Aliya Garroway, who earned NEC All-Rookie Team.
Savala joined Saint Francis after she spent the 2023 season at NCAA Division II member Wingate University, where the Bulldogs held a 48-17 overall record. She assisted the program to its first regular season title since 2009. Wingate advanced to the 2023 NCAA Super Regionals after winning the Southeast Regional.
Prior to Wingate, Savala spent three seasons at NCAA Division III member Millsaps College from 2020-22. In 2022, she assisted the Majors to an 11-7 conference record, its most wins since 2017, which included a series victory over nationally ranked Berry College.
During her coaching career, Savala has assisted in running outfield and hitting sessions, planning and organizing drills, watching film and building scouting reports, among other responsibilities.
Savala spend four years at Division III member University of Dallas, where she set a career record with 156 games played and single-game record with five stolen bases. She was a 2016 All-SCAC and a 2018-19 All-SCAC Academic selection in her career. Savala played her first three seasons from 2016-18 under coach Krysiak.
