| Title: | Assistant Coach |
Natalie joined the Cougars' staff in 2024, after spending six seasons coaching with Aspire Softball Academy and enjoying a well-travelled and frequently interrupted playing career. Natalie grew up in San Luis Obispo and earned all-Country honors as a member of SLO High School's Softball team. After high school, Ziegler spent a year playing for Colorado Northwestern Community College, where she starred for the Spartans as they struggled through a 2-43 season. She batted .307 on the season and posted an on-base percentage of .409, while splitting her time in the outfield and behind the plate as a left-handed catcher. After a year in Colorado, Ziegler returned to SLO and joined Cuesta for the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. She enjoyed both Covid interrupted campaigns and posted a .390 batting average and a .443 on-base percentage, while scoring 26 runs and driving in 29 more over 33 games. Although, she still had three more years of eligibility, Natalie committed to Westcliff University's first-year program and moved to Irvine to complete her playing career and studies. In 2022, she led the Warriors with a .319 batting average and 22 runs scored, while earning All-Cal PAC honors and a Gold Glove in the Outfield. In her fifth year, she was limited to only 13 games and batted only .200 for the season, while earning her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.
Natalie currently resides in nearby San Luis Obispo.
