Leanne Baker took over the Mercyhurst softball team on August 6, 2013, and became the 12th head coach in the history of the program.
In the 2024 season, Baker led the Lakers to an 18-27 overall record and a 14-18 mark in the PSAC. Baker’s experience and leadership will serve as a foundation for future success as the team enters its first season as a Division I program in 2025.
2023 was a year in which the Lakers reached multiple milestones, going 34-21 overall while reaching 21 wins in PSAC play. After winning 32 games in 2022, the 34 in 2023 marks the first time in program history the team has won 30 or more games in back-to-back seasons. The team's 34 is also the most in a single season in the 47 year history of the team. Mercyhurst enjoyed a season-long win streak of six games from 4/19/23-4/23/23, outscoring opponents 44-11 over that span with four straight games of allowing only one run. The Lakers racked up their fair share of accolades on the year with a program-high eight All-PSAC selections including the PSAC West Athlete of the Year in Allison Dejidas who went on to be named to a pair of All-Region and All-American honors.
The 2022 season was a historic one for Mercyhrust softball as Baker led the team to their first ever appearance in the PSAC Championship series, as well as their first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. She had five players earn All-Conference Honors including Madison Fry who was an Academic All-American. The Lakers finished the season with 32 wins, the most in program history. They loved their new field also, going 15-3 on the new Mercyhurst Softball field over the course of the season.
Mercyhurst qualified for the PSAC postseason for the first time in eight years in 2020-21. Five Lakers found their way onto the PSAC West All-
Conference team with Baker picking up PSAC West Coach of the Year honors.
The Lakers ended their short 2020 season with a 6-10 record. The Lakers had a 6-3 record during their Spring Break Trip.
The Lakers finished the 2019 campaign with an overall record of 9-34 and a conference slate of 3-17. Under her direction players have been named to the Capital One Academic All-District First Team.
Baker came to Mercyhurst after serving as the head coach at Southern Vermont College for three seasons.
A native of Pinehurst, Massachusetts, Baker worked to build a solid program at Southern Vermont and is determined to do the same at Mercyhurst. In 2013, she led the Mountaineers to a school-record nine wins. In 2012, Southern Vermont had three All-New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) players, setting another program high. Baker's squad took home the NECC Team Sportsmanship Award in all three years of her tenure. Six Mountaineers earned NECC All-Academic recognition in Baker's Southern Vermont career.
Baker is a graduate of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) foe Edinboro University. She was an All-PSAC West Second Team choice in 2006 and helped the Fighting Scots advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2007.
After graduating in 2007, Baker continued her education at Edinboro's graduate school, working as an assistant on the softball coaching staff. She helped the Scots qualify for the PSAC Tournament twice, coaching a total of fve All-PSAC West First Team selections. Baker was a grad assistant in the Edinboro sports information office during the 2007-08 year as well.
She and her husband JD are the proud parents of two children.
