COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The most successful pitcher in Ohio Valley Conference history, Bonnie Bynum is returning to her alma mater to join the Tennessee Tech softball program as assistant coach.

Head coach Tory Acheson, who guided Bynum through her award-winning career from 2003 to 2007, announced her addition to his staff where she will serve as pitching coach beginning June 1. She replaces Samantha Bates, who is moving into anew role as volunteer assistant coach.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to come back to my alma mater,” Bynum said. “It’s a great thing that I get to work at the place that I was a part of. I love Tech. I love Tech athletics, and what they’re doing there. I’m glad to be coming back.”

Bynum has spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky University. Under her guidance, Hilltopper pitcher Ryan Rogge earned all-region and all- Sun Belt Conference honors.

“Bonnie has been successful in transferring her knowledge of pitching to her players,” said Acheson. “She understands the craft of pitching, she understands the game, and she understands student-athletes. I never questioned whether she would be successful as a coach, and I’m really excited that she is returning our program.

“Bonnie will be a tremendous asset to Tennessee Tech softball as a coach, the same way she was as a player,” Acheson said.

Bynum currently holds every OVC pitching record except one (which is held by another former Tech pitcher), and was twice named as Tech’s Outstanding Female Athlete. A two-time OVC Pitcher of the Year in 2006 and 2007, she was a three-time first-team all-OVC selection. She also won three consecutive OVC Tournament MVP honors.

As a junior, she was named the Outstanding Female Athlete for the entire OVC.

In the circle for Tech, she was a four-year letterwinner and starter under Acheson. She posted a school- and OVC-record 103 career victories including 34 wins as a senior in 2007.

All told, she appeared in 193 games, throwing 1,021 strikeouts and six no-hitters. She finished '07 ranked seventh nationally in victories. During her senior year, she posted a 1.50 earned run average, throwing 33 complete games and 11 shutouts while pitching over 300 innings.

She is a native of Fayetteville, Ga., and graduated from Tech in 2007 with a degree in business management.