University of Delaware Athletics
Softball Promotes Nikki Andrade to Associate Head Coach
6/11/2026 9:00:00 AM | Softball
NEWARK, Del. - University of Delaware softball's Nikki Andrade has been promoted to associate head coach while continuing to serve as recruiting coordinator, head coach Jen Steele announced on Wednesday, June 10.Â
"Nikki has been a driving force behind the growth and success of our program," Steele said. "Her work in developing our offensive systems, creating individualized player development plans, recruiting talented student-athletes, and using data to drive performance has helped us achieve record-setting success over the past several seasons. She is an outstanding coach, a trusted leader, and someone who cares deeply about our student-athletes and this program. This promotion is a reflection of the impact she has made and is incredibly well deserved."Â
Andrade joined the University of Delaware softball coaching staff prior to the 2019 season. She has been part of the staff alongside Steele and fellow associate head coach Amy Bellisari since 2018, when Steele was hired.
"I am honored and grateful for this opportunity," Andrade said. "I want to thank Jen for her trust, support, and belief in me. Delaware is a special place. The people, culture, and commitment to excellence makes this program unique. I am excited to continue investing in our program and helping build on the strong foundation we have created together."
Andrade has helped lead Delaware to its most successful era in program history. Since 2019, UD is 232-132 overall and 106-38 in conference play. During that time, Delaware has won three regular-season conference titles and set single-season program records for wins, home wins, conference wins, consecutive conference wins, and run-rule victories. The Blue Hens have also recorded at least 30 wins in three consecutive seasons.
Working primarily with hitters, Delaware set single-season program records in 2025 for hits, doubles, home runs, runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and extra-base hits. Four of the top six single-season run totals in program history have come since 2022, while five of the top seven home run totals have come since 2021. UD has also had 24 hitters earn all-conference honors since 2019, including at least three offensive players in every season since 2021, along with 14 all-region selections.
In 2025, Sydney Shaffer was named CAA Player of the Year and set program records for home runs, RBIs, extra-base hits, total bases, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS in a single season.
On the recruiting trail, UD has had 11 offensive players named to a conference all-rookie team since 2019. This past season, Maddie Diamond and Allie Nankivell were first-team all-conference selections. Diamond set the freshman home run record, while Nankivell set freshman records for runs scored and batting average.Â
Delaware has also found success in the transfer portal, bringing in six players since 2023 who have earned all-conference honors, with four also receiving all-region recognition. Billie Kerwood was named CAA Pitcher of the Year, ECAC Pitcher of the Year, and was an all-region selection after transferring from Monmouth. Mary Beth Cahalan earned CAA Defensive Player of the Year and all-region honors after transferring from Dartmouth. Morgan Hess was a two-time all-region selection after transferring from Presbyterian, Julia Boyet was an all-region selection after transferring from Duke, and Taylor Wroten earned all-region honors after transferring from Indian River State College.
Delaware ended 2026 at 31-24 and 17-10 in conference play in its inaugural CUSA season. UD has won at least 30 games in three consecutive seasons for the first time in program history.
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