Long Beach State University Athletics
Mariah Lopez Hired As Pitching Coach As Beach Softball Makes Coaching Adjustments
7/28/2026 9:44:00 AM | Softball
An elite former collegiate pitcher, Mariah Lopez has established herself as a rising coaching star and will join the staff.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Kendall Fearn has announced that Mariah Lopez will be joining the team's staff as the pitching coach beginning in 2026. Lopez was a top collegiate pitcher, competing in the Women's College World Series four times and has begun a successful career as a pitching coach following her graduation.
Competing for Oklahoma and Arizona, Lopez posted an overall record of 71-7 in her career with a 1.78 ERA, winning a national championship with the Sooners in 2017, where she was a finalist for NFCA Freshman of the Year, and competed for the USA Junior National Team. She pitched for one more season at Oklahoma before transferring to Arizona, and following the COVID-19 pandemic pitched for Arizona in 2021, leading the Wildcats to the 2021 Women's Collete World Series while averaging nearly a strikeout per inning pitched.
"I'm excited to welcome Mariah Lopez to The Beach as our new pitching coach. Mariah brings a wealth of knowledge from some of the nation's premier softball programs, where she has played for and worked alongside some of the most respected head coaches in our sport," said Fearn. "Combined with her own success on the field, those experiences have shaped her into an outstanding teacher, communicator, and mentor.
"Mariah is a person of tremendous character who is deeply invested in the growth of our student-athletes, both on and off the field. As a player, she was the winning pitcher in a national championship game, which is an experience that provides a unique perspective on what it takes to perform on the biggest stage. She understands how to prepare, compete, and lead, and she is passionate about helping our pitchers reach their full potential."
Turning to coaching following the end of her playing career, Lopez spend three seasons as a graduate assistant with Minnesota and Oregon before being hired with Big West rival California Baptist as an assistant coach where she called pitches for the Lancers.
Lopez spent last season with Boise State, where she led a staff of six pitchers highlighted by Loula-rae McNamara, who posted an 8-6 record with a 3.65 ERA while again calling pitches for the Broncos.
"I am extremely excited and honored to join the Long Beach State softball program," said Lopez "Long Beach State has such a rich tradition in softball and a special history as a university, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. I want to thank Kendall Fearn and the entire Long Beach State Athletics Department for believing in me and welcoming me to the Beach. I am excited to get to work, build relationships, and help continue the success of this program."
Additionally, Long Beach State Athletics will be promoting Tyler Heil to Associate Head Coach following a promising first season for the team. Under Heil's offensive guidance, Long Beach State batted .305 and hit 95 doubles, a program record, while seven regulars hit over .300 led by First Team All-Big West selection Angelina Apodaca.
"This promotion is a reflection of the tremendous value Tyler brings to our program and to Long Beach State Athletics," said Fearn. "His impact is impossible to overlook, and I couldn't be more excited to recognize his contributions as we continue building a championship culture and pursuing Big West titles at the Beach. Beyond his dynamic knowledge of the game, Tyler is an outstanding leader who genuinely cares about the development of our student-athletes as people and competitors. He consistently invests in those around him, elevates our coaching staff, and plays an integral role in bringing our vision of Long Beach State Softball to life."
Competing for Oklahoma and Arizona, Lopez posted an overall record of 71-7 in her career with a 1.78 ERA, winning a national championship with the Sooners in 2017, where she was a finalist for NFCA Freshman of the Year, and competed for the USA Junior National Team. She pitched for one more season at Oklahoma before transferring to Arizona, and following the COVID-19 pandemic pitched for Arizona in 2021, leading the Wildcats to the 2021 Women's Collete World Series while averaging nearly a strikeout per inning pitched.
"I'm excited to welcome Mariah Lopez to The Beach as our new pitching coach. Mariah brings a wealth of knowledge from some of the nation's premier softball programs, where she has played for and worked alongside some of the most respected head coaches in our sport," said Fearn. "Combined with her own success on the field, those experiences have shaped her into an outstanding teacher, communicator, and mentor.
"Mariah is a person of tremendous character who is deeply invested in the growth of our student-athletes, both on and off the field. As a player, she was the winning pitcher in a national championship game, which is an experience that provides a unique perspective on what it takes to perform on the biggest stage. She understands how to prepare, compete, and lead, and she is passionate about helping our pitchers reach their full potential."
Turning to coaching following the end of her playing career, Lopez spend three seasons as a graduate assistant with Minnesota and Oregon before being hired with Big West rival California Baptist as an assistant coach where she called pitches for the Lancers.
Lopez spent last season with Boise State, where she led a staff of six pitchers highlighted by Loula-rae McNamara, who posted an 8-6 record with a 3.65 ERA while again calling pitches for the Broncos.
"I am extremely excited and honored to join the Long Beach State softball program," said Lopez "Long Beach State has such a rich tradition in softball and a special history as a university, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. I want to thank Kendall Fearn and the entire Long Beach State Athletics Department for believing in me and welcoming me to the Beach. I am excited to get to work, build relationships, and help continue the success of this program."
Additionally, Long Beach State Athletics will be promoting Tyler Heil to Associate Head Coach following a promising first season for the team. Under Heil's offensive guidance, Long Beach State batted .305 and hit 95 doubles, a program record, while seven regulars hit over .300 led by First Team All-Big West selection Angelina Apodaca.
"This promotion is a reflection of the tremendous value Tyler brings to our program and to Long Beach State Athletics," said Fearn. "His impact is impossible to overlook, and I couldn't be more excited to recognize his contributions as we continue building a championship culture and pursuing Big West titles at the Beach. Beyond his dynamic knowledge of the game, Tyler is an outstanding leader who genuinely cares about the development of our student-athletes as people and competitors. He consistently invests in those around him, elevates our coaching staff, and plays an integral role in bringing our vision of Long Beach State Softball to life."
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