New Pueblo East softball coach Kelsey Massaro.
PUEBLO — The tradition-rich Pueblo East softball program has a new leader.
Kelsey Massaro has been named the new head coach for the Eagles. Massaro replaces longtime coach Ben Garcia, who resigned last month to become the head softball coach at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.
“This is the biggest opportunity that I’ve had,” Massaro, 27, said. “I’m extremely excited for what’s in store. We have a great young team and I couldn’t be more blessed that this has happened. I’m really ready to start a legacy and build something of my own. This has been a dream of mine to be a head coach.”
Massaro, whose maiden name is Swanberg, graduated from Arvada West in 2005 and then Colorado State University-Pueblo. She played four years for CSU-Pueblo’s softball team, primarily as a pitcher. Massaro has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach for East’s softball program.
Mike Massaro, Kelsey’s husband, was named the basketball coach for the Eagles in April. Mike, who played baseball at CSU-Pueblo and then went to play minor league baseball for nine years, reaching as high as Triple-A, is a volunteer coach on his wife’s staff.
Massaro also is well of aware of the history of the Pueblo East softball program. Garcia guided the Eagles to five Class 4A state championship games in 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2012. The Eagles won state in 2012, beating Niwot 4-2.
The Eagles also have won countless South-Central League titles with Garcia at the helm, including the last two in a row.
“Naturally there’s going to be pressure,” Massaro said about filling Garcia’s shoes. “I have a great coaching staff that is stepping up and really helping me out and giving me support.
"I also learned a lot from Ben (Garcia). He has really guided me in the right direction. He has given me some tools that without I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m looking forward to the future and this season especially.”
Massaro’s team took a hit from graduation, namely losing standout pitcher Katie Orona, who has signed to play softball at Brown University in Providence, R.I. A year ago, the Eagles lost in the Class 4A state quarterfinals 7-1 to Erie, finishing with a 20-4-1 record.
“It is going to be tough for us to replace Katie and we will have to see what options we have, but we have a great defense and we have some girls who can absolutely crush the ball,” Massaro said. “If we can be offensively and defensively sound I think we will be fine.”
The Eagles open their season Aug. 19 in a non-conference game against Falcon at Runyon Field Sports Complex.