ROCHESTER, Mich. -- Oakland University Softball Head Coach Lauren Karn announced the addition of assistant coach Jenna Blythers on Thursday. 

"I am extremely excited to have Jenna join our coaching staff and share her knowledge of the game with our student-athletes," said Karn. "Jenna's energy and passion, along with her fierce competitive nature is going to be a tremendous asset to our program."

Blythers joins the Golden Grizzlies after spending two years as an assistant coach at the University of Rochester (N.Y.).

During her two years, the Yellowjackets qualified for the Liberty League Tournament twice and had a total of six All-Liberty League selections, including two who earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honors in 2019.

Prior to Rochester, Blythers was an assistant coach with travel softball teams around the Pittsburgh area and assisted with softball camps at Pittsburgh for four years.

"I am thrilled to be able to work with Lauren and at Oakland University," said Blythers. "After playing for Lauren for two years in the ACC, I know the kind of energy she brings to the game and I am excited to be apart of her passion for teaching and creating a championship culture. As a young coach, I am also excited to learn from her, considering her experience at a high caliber program. We have a lot of experience and talent when you put our staff together. I am excited to see the noise we make this year in the Horizon League."

Blythers began her playing career at Miami (OH) where she was a two-time All-MAC selection as a pitcher and infielder, earning first team and all-freshman honors in 2013 and second team honors as a sophomore. 

Blythers played her final two seasons at Pittsburgh where Karn was an assistant coach. As a junior in 2015, she was named First Team All-ACC plus earned NFCA Mid-Atlantic Third Team All-Region status. She was a part of the first Pittsburgh softball team to reach the ACC Championship Game and NCAA Regional Final that season. As a senior, she was a second team All-ACC selection. A dual threat both on the mound and at the plate, Blythers still ranks inside Pittsburgh's top-five in career batting average (.324), single-season at-bats (191) and hits (61), and single-season saves (three).

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Blythers graduated from Pittsburgh in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in media and professional communications with a minor in corporate communications.

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