NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana softball announced Wednesday the addition of assistant coach Brianna Harris and graduate assistant Shemiah Sanchez to its staff.
        Harris joined the staff in November. Sanchez has been at XULA since August and, in addition to her softball duties, is pursuing a master's degree in public health.
        First pitch for XULA's inaugural varsity season will be in late January or early February.
        "I am excited to have Brianna and Shemiah on my first staff at Xavier," head coach Leslie Ballard said. "Both were outstanding players in NCAA Division I. They both have great enthusiasm for softball, great aptitude and drive for coaching and a strong desire to help our student-athletes improve in all areas."
        Harris was an assistant coach the past four years for the Jacksonville (Fla.) Storm, a travel-ball team in her hometown. She hit .311 in four seasons at Savannah State — .390 as a senior — and was third-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as a shortstop in 2016 and an outfielder in 2018, her senior season. Harris received her bachelor's degree from Savannah State in 2018.
        Also in 2018, Harris received a Savannah State softball award for best all-around player.
        Sanchez was first-team NFCA All-South Region, All-SEC and All-Louisiana at second base as a senior in 2019. She hit .290 that season and shared the team lead with 17 home runs, one fewer than the LSU season record. Three of her homers that year were grand slams.
        Sanchez started her final three seasons at LSU and helped the Tigers qualify for the Women's College World Series in 2016 and 2017 and for an NCAA Super Regional four straight years. She received an "Eye of a Tiger" award in 2018 for excellence in sports and academics, then earned her bachelor's degree in business administration in 2019. Sanchez's hometown is the Atlanta suburb of Newnan, Ga.

What They're Saying About Brianna Harris

Jose Gonzalez, Savannah State Head Coach
        "Brianna is a bright young lady with great knowledge of the game. She will bring so much energy to the Xavier program. She comes from a wonderful family. Her dad and I played ball together. I wish Brianna the best."

Eric Palmer, Jacksonville Storm Coach
        "I have known Brianna since she played T-ball with my daughter at age six. Brianna is fast as lightning — that's why we call her Breezy. You're going to enjoy her. She's a hard worker — that's what I like about her. Xavier is fortunate to have someone who loves softball as much Breezy does. As a coach with the Storm she had a good presence with her girls. She's passionate about what she does, and she expects her players to perform. She could be demanding at times with her players, yet they still liked her and respected her."


What They're Saying About Shemiah Sanchez

Franklin DeLoach, East Coweta (Ga.) High School Head Coach
        "Shemiah still holds many offensive records here at East Coweta High School. She was a four-year starter at shortstop for us and helped lead us to four region championships. We played in the state finals all four years. What I like most about Shemiah is her calmness in the game. The game never seems to be too fast for her. She has the ability to perform very well in big situations. She has always been dearly loved by all her teammates and the coaches around her."

Patrick Wright, LSU Softball Broadcaster
        "You guys are getting a great one in Shemiah. Saying nice things about her is very easy. Shemiah was one of the hardest working players to ever come through the LSU softball program. She never let her health issues slow her down, and she always kept a positive attitude. Every day is like Christmas morning to her. The Xavier softball family will certainly benefit from not only her softball experience, but also her winning attitude and personality."

Howard Dobson, LSU Assistant Coach and USA Softball Assistant
        "Shemiah is an amazing young woman with the brightest of futures ahead of her. She is a tireless worker who will set the tone in a team's culture. It was a privilege to have coached her, and I look forward to calling her a coaching peer. What I like best about Shemiah is that she didn't let circumstances out of her control dictate her career. She had talent but was dealt a tough hand with health and injuries. She pounded her craft and got better every season."

Beth Torina, LSU Head Coach (at the close of Sanchez's senior season in 2019)
        "We're tougher because of her, we're grittier because of her."