AUBURN, Ala. – She rewrote the record books and redefined the program as a student-athlete. Now all-American and Tiger softball standout Emily Carosone returns to Auburn to take on a new challenge as an assistant coach for the program.
Head coach Mickey Dean announced the hiring on Wednesday. Carosone will primarily work with the infielders and catchers. She will also have a share in working with the Tiger hitters.
“We are excited to have Emily join our staff as a full-time member,” Dean said. “She has earned this opportunity as a player and as our volunteer assistant for the last three seasons.”
Carosone first joined coach Dean’s staff as a graduate assistant prior to the start of the 2017 fall season. The three-time all-American went on to serve as the program’s volunteer assistant over the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Carosone left the program before the 2020 season began to train for the Tokyo Olympics as part of the Italian National Team.
“I’m excited to be back with the Auburn Family,” Carosone said. “There’s no other place I’d rather be.”
A National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American and All-SEC performer, Carosone lifted Auburn softball to new heights and countless program firsts. She helped capture the 2015 and 2016 SEC Softball Tournament titles. Carosone also led the Tigers to back-to-back Women’s College World Series appearances.
She is Auburn’s all-time leader in career batting average (.406), hits (285), runs (267), on-base percentage (.534) and hit by pitches (85). She also ranks in the top three in the Tigers’ record books in career RBI, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage and games started. Carosone also holds Auburn’s single-season records for runs, slugging percentage and hit by pitch.
A veteran in the professional ranks, Carosone has four seasons of professional experience under her belt. After being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch Draft, she signed with the Chicago Bandits, playing with the organization through the 2018 season. Carosone began 2019 as a member of the Cleveland Comets before being traded to USSSA Pride.
Over her professional career, she has amassed 113 hits, including 14 home runs, to go along with 73 RBI and 73 runs scored. Carosone also touts a .273 career batting average with a .370 on-base percentage and a .411 slugging clip. In 2018, she tied Megan Wiggins and Lauren Chamberlain for the league’s home run title, closing the season with 12.
During her rookie season with the Bandits, the team captured the 2016 Cowles Cup behind a thrilling come-from-behind win against the USSSA Pride in the championship series.
After a three-year process to earn dual citizenship, Carosone competed with the Italian National Team at the 2019 Europe/Africa Olympic qualifier in the Netherlands last summer. Italy swept the tournament, defeating Great Britain, 5-0, in the qualifier’s final game to advance to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Carosone recorded two hits for Italy in the finals. The 2020 Olympics were postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carosone is a 2016 graduate from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in business.