MOREHEAD, Ky. – Tyron McKinney, a member of the USA Men’s National Fastpitch Softball Team, is the new Assistant Softball Coach at Morehead State, while former Eagle shortstop Allie Honkofsky completes the staff as a graduate assistant this season. Head coach Holly Bruder announced the additions to the staff this week.
McKinney, a native of Ashland, Ohio who will be in charge of the Eagle pitchers, has played and coached at virtually every level of competitive softball. His playing career began in 1995, and in 1996 he became the youngest pitcher ever (16) to win two games at the class A national tournament. In all, he helped win six national titles and was named MVP twice at the class A national tournament. In 1997, he secured a spot on the Junior USA Team and has risen all the way to the top currently with a spot in the rotation on the men’s national team.
McKinney has been a private pitching instructor and currently works at Championship Fastpitch in Ashland, Ky.. He has been administering pitching lessons for five years. He began his professional coaching career in 2000 as an assistant baseball coach at Ashland High School and took over the head coaching duties for the softball team at Crestview High School in Ashland in 2003. He led the Cougars to their first 20-win season in more than 10 years. He currently resides in Ashland, Ky., and has a four-year-old daughter named Takiah.
Honkofsky begins her collegiate career this year after serving as an assistant with Fleming County High School in 2008.
She played two seasons (2006 and 2007) in an Eagle uniform for Bruder after transferring from North Florida Community College. Honkofsky appeared in 91 games during that span, hitting .248 with three home runs in 2008. Her walk-off home run helped the Eagles defeat rival Eastern Kentucky at home. She also added six doubles and 13 RBI in 2008 while starting every game at shortstop.
