CARROLLTON, Ga. - Head softball coach Kristy Burton has finalized her 2026-27 coaching staff, announcing the addition of three new members of the University of West Georgia softball staff. 

Joining the Wolves as pitching coach is Libby Baker. She comes to Carrollton after serving as the graduate assistant at South Alabama, while also privately training athletes for success at the next level and coaching in the Alabama travel softball circuit. 

Baker had success of her own as a collegiate player, winning a Rawlings Gold Glove Award at Troy in 2024 while also being named All-Region. She was also an All-Sun Belt selection in her junior season. For her career, she tossed 426.1 innings with a 3.60 ERA and 270 strikeouts while also hitting .305 with 160 hits and 33 home runs. 

Burton also announced the hiring of Kate Kastelic as the new graduate assistant. Kastelic is a Georgia State University grad, where she played three years of softball following one year at Chattanooga State, but she finished up with a fifth year at the University of Dayton and now begins her coaching career in Carrollton. 

Also joining the Wolves staff is Georgia Hughes who will serve as an assistant coach and work primarily in the player development space. Hughes played five seasons at Montevallo and graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in exercise and nutrition science. 

"We are more than excited to welcome Libby, Kate, and Georgia to our UWG family ! There experience and passion for the game is exactly what we need to help elevate us going into the 2027 season," said Burton. "Growing our staff allows our athletes to be better prepared for each game and to be coached at the highest level. This is an elite staff that is ready to get to work, break records, and create a lasting memories for our student athletes." 

The three additions join Burton and her long-time assistant Ivey Kane who has been alongside Burton for all four of her previous seasons at UWG.