University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Hogue Names Vamvakas Assistant Coach
9/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss head softball coach Wendy Hogue officially announced the hiring of Pete Vamvakas to her coaching staff. Vamvakas joins the Golden Eagles after spending six seasons with national power Baylor University.
"I'm so excited to have Pete on board with Southern Miss softball," Hogue said. "His six years of experience with one of the top programs in the NCAA brings instant credibility to an already impressive resume. He's worked under three of the top minds in the game with Glenn (Moore), Mark (Lumley) and Britni (Sneed Newman). I look forward to his helping us take Southern Miss softball to the top."
Vamvakas served as a volunteer assistant coach for three seasons with the Lady Bears after spending his first three years in the program as a team manager with the Baylor softball team.
Among his many duties, Vamvakas' responsibilities at Baylor included coaching the outfielders, working with hitters, overseeing the student-managers and the maintenance of the field at Getterman Stadium. Additionally, Vamvakas served as the first base coach.
In his final season with the Lady Bears in 2014, Vamvakas helped direct the softball program to a 49-16 overall record and a trip to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. He worked directly with outfielder Linsey Hays, who earned WCWS All-Tournament accolades. At the World Series, Hays went 6-for-12 (.500) at the plate, scored four runs and drove in a run.
Under Vamvakas' tutelage, Hays was also named First Team All-Region and was a Second Team All-Big 12 pick. In addition, Vamvakas worked with Kaitlyn Thumann who earned Second Team All-Region accolades, while being honored as a First Team All-Big 12 selection.
Hays led Baylor in the regular season with 12 home runs and 46 RBI, while Thumann ranked fifth in the Big 12 through the regular season with a .405 batting average and was second in the Big 12 with a .512 on-base percentage. From the leadoff position, Thumann had a team-leading 54 runs, and she hit seven home runs with 21 RBI.
In 2013, Baylor finished the year with a 42-17 overall record, ending its season at the NCAA College Station Regional hosted by Texas A&M. The Lady Bears advanced to the Regional Finals before being eliminated by the tournament-host Aggies.
Vamvakas worked with Kathy Shelton in the outfield, helping her earn First Team All-Big 12 honors along with First-Team All-Central Region honors from the NFCA for the 2013 season. He also saw Thumann earn Second Team All-Big 12 honors while Hays became the first BU non-pitcher to earn Big 12 Player of the Week honors for the Lady Bears.
In his first season as a coach with the Lady Bears in 2012, Baylor posted a 34-22 record overall and advanced to the Lafayette Regional. Vamvakas worked with All-Big 12 outfielders Shelton (Second Team) and Kayce Walker (Second Team).
During his time as a manager, Baylor twice advanced to the NCAA Super Regional (2009, 2011) including a run to the Women's College World Series semifinals in 2011.
Vamvakas, who played on three national championship baseball teams growing up, has a solid background in both softball and baseball. He graduated from Baylor in 2011 with a degree in general studies.
