Christian Brothers University

Memphis, TN 38104

Tennessee Southeast

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Coaches

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Tara Wheeler

Christian Brothers University Director of Athletics Donna Crone announced Tara Wheeler as the ninth Head Softball Coach in program history, on Wednesday June 22. Wheeler comes to CBU after spending two seasons at Colorado School of Mines.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tara to the CBU family," said Crone. "Her head coaching experience, focus on high academic standards and decorated playing career were qualities that convinced us she was the right fit to lead our program."

In two seasons (2020-2021), as Interim Head Coach, Wheeler led the Orediggers to a 31-24-1 record, including a 22-12-1 mark in 2021. The 2021 team finished 20-10-1 to earn a fourth place standing in the competitive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

"It is an honor to be selected as the next head coach of the Christian Brothers softball program" said Wheeler. "I would like to thank Donna Crone for the opportunity to be a part of CBU and to lead the Lady Bucs. Being on campus felt like home, and my family and I are excited for this new journey!"

Under Wheeler, Mines had five players earn All-RMAC honors, including All-Region selection Kylie Redding. In 2021, three Orediggers were named to the RMAC All-Academic Teams. Wheeler also helped guide the RMAC Woman of the Year, RMAC Academic Player of the Year and RMAC Summit Award winner. The 2021 team finished with its highest batting average (.318) and slugging percentage (.463) in the last five seasons.

Mines finished the shortened 2020 season with a 9-12 mark, including a 6-6 mark in RMAC play. The schedule included contests against three ranked opponents, including No. 1 Augustana. Following the 2020 season, shortstop Clara Larson was named First Team Academic All-American.

Before serving the 2019 season as an assistant coach at Mines, Wheeler spent two seasons at Metropolitan State University of Denver where she served two stints as an assistant coach (August 2010 - June 2012, August 2014 - July 2016). While at Metro State, Wheeler helped guide the Roadrunners to the 2016 RMAC Tournament Championship and regular season crowns in 2011 and 2015. The Roadrunners advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the three seasons.

The Wheat Ridge Colo., native had a decorated playing career, spending time at Metro State and Purdue Fort Wayne. While at Fort Wayne, the former Tara Mickelson was a First Team All-Summit League selection (2008), as well as a member of the Summit League All-Tournament Team. As a freshman, Wheeler earned Second Team All-Independent honors and was named to the All-Independent Newcomer Team.

Wheeler spent two highly decorated seasons at Metro State, where she was a 2009 First Team All-American, 2010 Second Team All-American, two-time All-Region selection and a two-time All-RMAC honoree. In 2010, Wheeler helped guide the Roadrunners to the College World Series where she was named to the All-Tournament Team, while also finishing as the NCAA Divison II leader with 25 home runs. Her 25 round-trippers tied an RMAC single season record. Wheeler finished her collegiate career as a .363 hitter with 54 home runs and 188 RBIs.

Wheeler graduated from Northeastern State University in 2014 with a degree in general studies. She is married to Steve Wheeler. They have three sons.

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Bryanna Castro

Bryanna Castro joins the CBU staff this year as Assistant Softball Coach. Castro brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience to the Bucs. Prior to joining CBU, Castro was an assistant coach at Sonoma State in California for two years.

In addition to her time at Sonoma State, Castro has also coached at the University of San Diego, Santiago Community College and Belhaven University. It all started in 2015 for Castro when she began her collegiate softball career at McNeese State where she played one season. Castro had a standout year as she was named to the All-Southland Conference First Team after finishing conference play with a .300 plus batting average and 10 RBI’s. In 2016, Castro would make the leap to SEC powerhouse Ole Miss and see action in 41 games. Castro would prove to be a threat on the base paths as a late-game pinch runner where she stole 8 bags on the year, good for 6th most on the team.

In 2017, Castro would be a part of Rebels history as Ole Miss went on an improbable run in the SEC Tournament, going 4-0 and defeated LSU in the championship game to become the lowest seed ever to win the SEC Tournament. Castro would pinch run in the 2nd inning and help get the Rebels on the board first as she scored off an RBI double. She concluded her 2017 campaign with 47 games played, scoring 12 runs and stealing 4 bases. Castro capped her collegiate career off as a 3-time SEC Honor Roll recipient and also earned the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar award in 2017. She was a First Team All-Southland Conference selection in 2015 as well as winning a SEC and NCAA Regional title at Ole Miss in 2017. She was selected to the SEC Honor Roll for three consecutive seasons.

Castro, an Orange County, California, native, has a bachelor’s degree from Ole Miss and a master’s degree from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.

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Zach Ullrich

Zach Ullrich was named to the position of Head Baseball Coach/Assistant Director of Athletics for Facilities & Transportation at Christian Brothers University and began duties June 10, 2024. He comes from Roanoke College (Virginia) where he served as Head Baseball Coach since January, 2021, after serving as an assistant coach who helped lead the Maroons to its first ODAC Championship, an NCAA South Regional Championship and a Final Four finish at the NCAA Division III World Series in 2018.

As head coach, Ullrich compiled a 103-63 overall record in 4 seasons at the helm, including a 57-26 record in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play. Last season the Maroons finished second in conference before losing in the ODAC Tournament Championship Game to the defending National Champion University of Lynchburg Hornets, who lost in the 2024 NCAA National Tournament semifinals.

Ullrich returned to Roanoke after a two-year stint at NCAA Division II Barton College, in Wilson, N.C. As the top assistant coach with the Bulldogs, Ullrich served as the pitching and head developmental coach. In the 2018-19 season, Ullrich led the Bulldog pitchers to their most strikeouts (421) in school history while the team ERA dropped from 7.35 to 5.54. That year would see Barton's win total go from 12 to 31, the most in NCAA D-II that season. In addition, the opponents' batting average fell from .319 to .287 while five players earned Conference Carolinas Pitcher-of-the-Week honors. Colby Shimmel was named a national pitcher of the week after throwing a no-hitter and Dylan Ward broke the school's career strikeout mark under Ullrich's tutelage.

Prior to his first stint at Roanoke, Ullrich spent five years as an assistant at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. In his first two seasons at Dickinson, Ullrich served as the pitching coach where he assisted in daily practices, player evaluation, community involvement and in-game management of the pitching staff. Ullrich was also named the Recruiting Coordinator for the Red Devils in 2013, where he was the point of contact for prospective student athletes. He also helped with player analysis and development both in the classroom and on the field. Under his leadership, the Dickinson pitching staff was ranked nationally in ERA, strikeouts per game, and WHIP in 2013 while breaking multiple school records. He coached two All-Region and five All-Centennial Conference selections.

In addition, Ullrich served as the pitching coordinator for the Keystone Nationals, based in Mechanicsburg, Pa. During his time with the Nationals, he organized practices and workouts for pitchers ages 6-18 while focusing on teaching proper mechanics, approach and strength.

Ullrich graduated from Mansfield University in 2011 with a degree in history and a minor in psychology. He pitched at Mansfield from 2006-2010, highlighted by an NCAA Tournament Appearance in 2010. As a student-athlete at Mansfield, Ullrich worked sporting events for football, field hockey, basketball, soccer and swimming. He also coached summer camps and rebuilt baseball fields in the Mansfield, Pa. community. In May of 2019, Ullrich received his master's degree in athletic administration and coaching from Liberty University.