John Light enters his sixth season as Head Softball Coach at Fairmont State University after becoming the third coach in program history during the fall of 2016.
In 2021, Fairmont State softball went 24-17 (19-13 MEC) and earned the No. 3 seed in the MEC North at the conference tournament in Salem, Va - the third-consecutive postseason appearance for the Falcons. During the season, the Fairmont State pitching staff ranked second in the MEC and 21st in the country in team ERA (2.09). All three of Fairmont State's starting pitchers had an ERA below 2.50 during the 2021 season.
Following the season, six members of the FSU softball team earned MEC honors, including catcher Andie Baughman, pitcher Caitlyn Kassay, right fielder and leadoff hitter Haley McDaniel, infielder Courtney Moyer, third base Emily Riggs and shortstop Courtney Worcester. Worcester batted a team-high .368 and had a .529 slugging percentage during her senior season. Riggs (.362) and McDaniel (.357) also batted over .350 on the season.
The Falcon softball program also continues to get it done in the classroom under Light's guidance. In 2021, Fairmont State had a 3.57 team GPA with 10 4.0's and 19 MEC All-Academic honorees. It was the fourth-consecutive year that FSU softball recorded a GPA of 3.29 or higher.
Nineteen players were also named to the Fairmont State President's and Dean's List in 2021.
The 2020 Fairmont State softball season was cut short before conference play could begin due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Falcons opened the season with a 1-13 mark in non-conference play after facing a difficult non-conference schedule during two southern road trips prior to the cancelation.
In 2019, Light’s third season at the helm of the program, the Falcons finished the year with a 26-23 overall record after facing a very challenging schedule. The teams 20-12 record in MEC play allowed the Falcons to clinch the third seed in the MEC Tournament. The 26 wins were the most since 2014 and the Falcons went 1-2 in the MEC Tournament, picking up an opening round win over Concord. The tournament victory was just the third MEC tournament win in program history.
In 2019, Light guided his team to a No. 2 conference ranking defensively (.971) and the team also recorded one of the lowest Team ERA’s (2.61) in program history.
Light helped guide pitcher Hannah Absalom to first team All-MEC honors and second team All-Region honors following the 2019 season. Absalom became a standout pitcher in the MEC and the Atlantic Region in 2019, finishing the year with a 1.49 ERA and recorded a record of 17-8 with 133 strikeouts on the year.
During Light’s second year with the program in 2018 the Falcons finished the year with a 22-26 overall record and earned the fourth seed in the MEC Tournament with an 18-14 record in conference play. The team defense recorded a .961 fielding %, and had many notable players grab all conference honors. First baseman Beth Cook, third baseman Jenny Stubbs and shortstop Courtney Worcester each earned first team All-MEC honors, with Cook and Stubbs earning All-Region accolades from D2CCA and the NFCA.
The Falcons recorded a 19-31 overall record during Light’s inaugural season in 2017. Junior first baseman Beth Cook and third baseman Jenny Stubbs recorded second team All-MEC and All-Region accolades.
The program has seen improved growth in academics as well. Over 50 student athletes have earned All-Academic honors under Light’s tutelage.
“With continued success in recruiting and developing players athletically and academically, and developing a daily purpose, the program is poised to compete nationally,” said Light.
Prior to taking over the Fairmont State program, Light served as an assistant softball coach at Edinboro University from 2010 to 2016, including a full-time role from 2014-2016. During his tenure at Edinboro, Light helped the Fighting Scots set new single-season run totals and the team recorded its second-best record in program history. The team also reached new heights for team batting average, Team ERA, and fielding percentage. Light helped develop 12 All-PSAC West standouts, 6 All-Region players, 2 All-Americans and 2 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
Prior to switching his focus to softball, Light was a highly successful baseball coach at Northwestern. H.S. and Post 567 American Legion, of which he was President of in Erie County.
At Northwestern, Light recorder a career record of 302-and-104, winning coach of the year multiple times. He was responsible for over 32 players moving on to college careers during his tenure from 1994-2014. The field at Northwestern was named after him: Coach Light Field, “Welcome to the Light House”.
He was also a highly successful American Legion Coach, recording over 400 victories. He also hosted many district and regional events, was a state finalist and was inducted into the Pennsylvania American Legion Hall of Fame in 2014.
Light has also served as an instructor for many baseball and softball camps, served as director of multiple fundraising programs, and has seen continued success developing high school and collegiate athletes.
Light is a business owner as well. The Ashtabula (Ohio) native, graduated from Harbor High School where he was a three-sport athlete (baseball, football, basketball). He graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Individualized Studies and Facility Management.
Light and his wife Caroline reside in Erie, Pa. as well as Fairmont, W.Va. They have a blended family of five children and six grandchildren. Light is the son of John and Maureen Light of Ashtabula, Ohio. He has a brother Kevin and sister Lisa.
| Season |
Overall Record |
Conf. Record |
| 2017 |
19-31 |
12-20 |
| 2018 |
22-26 |
18-14 (MEC Tournament) |
| 2019 |
26-23 |
19-13 (MEC Tournament) |
| 2020 |
1-13 |
0-0 (*season canceled Mar. 13 due to COVID-19 pandemic) |
| 2021 |
24-17 |
19-13 (MEC Tournament) |
| Total |
92-110 (.455) |
68-60 (.531) |
