Coaching
Staff
Head
Coach: Kristin Hauge (6th Year)
Kristin
Hauge was one of the original founders of the Sliders fastpitch team in 1999.
She along with three college teammates began the Sliders team so they could continue
to play softball together at a highly competitive level.
As
a player, Kristin received a scholarship to play D1 softball for Cal Poly Pomona
and began playing ASA travel ball after her sophomore year of college. She played
for the Schutt Hurricanes her first season and then began playing for the Corona
Red Devils (under current Sliders assistant coach Dwain Linden) from 1991-1994.
When the Red Devil team folded, she landed on the Montclair Diamonds playing for
Don Brannan (current Sliders manager and team sponsor). With the Diamonds she
won two ASA National Championships back to back in 1996 and 1997. After the 1998
season, the Diamonds folded and the Sliders were founded. She played with the
Sliders for four seasons until she retired form playing competitive softball.
In total, Kristin played thirteen years of ASA softball and was named ASA All-American
seven times.
When she retired from playing, it was at that time that
former manager and coach Don Brannan contacted her about beginning a new era for
the Sliders with her as head coach and he as manager and sponsor.
As
a coach, Kristin has over 15 years experience at the elite level, including nine
years of collegiate coaching experience. In her 5-year tenure as Sliders head
coach, the team is 110-13-3. She has won two ASA National Championships (2004
and 2005), three California State Championships (2004, 2006 and 2007), two ASA
Worth Tournament Titles (2006 and 2007) and placed over 30 players on the ASA
All-American teams. In addition, the Sliders have had numerous players make the
US National Team, the Canadian, Israeli and Greek National and Olympic Teams as
well as many players being drafted into the NPF.
Assistant
Coach: Dwain Linden (6th Year)
Dwain
has been coaching softball at various levels for 28 years. Included in his resume
are two years as assistant softball coach at UC Riverside, 21 years of coaching
high school softball as well as 11 seasons as a coach ASA travel ball. As a travel
ball coach, Dwain coached the Corona Red Devils before coming on as a member of
the Sliders coaching staff.
Dwain
discovered softball when he was a student teacher at La Sierra High School in
California. He was asked to coach the varsity team and took them to their first
ever CIF playoff appearance. He enjoyed coaching so softball so much, he has continued
throughout his lifetime.
"Working
with the Slider organiztion has been wonderful. I have been privileged to work
with some great coaches and some of the most talented players in the nation and
world. I hope to continue my association with this group for many more years"
- Dwain Linden
Assistant
Coach: Cary Akins (2nd Year)
This
will be Cary's second year as an assistant to the Sliders softball team. Cary
has played softball for years, playing for the Pirettes and American Pastime in
her ASA career. She received an athletic scholarship in softball to Illinois State
University in 2003. She was the starting shortstop all four years for the Cyclones.
Cary
has numerous years of coaching experience at the ASA and high school levels. Her
focus will be working with the Sliders infield.
Team
Manager: April Ruedaflores (6th Year)
