MSU Athletics

Former Dayton hurler Kayla English enters her second season as a graduate assistant coach with the Midwestern State softball program in 2017.

English was a four-time All-Atlantic 10 selection in the circle for NCAA Division I Dayton from 2012-15. During her senior campaign, English was tabbed the A-10 Pitcher of the Year with an A-10 First Team nod before earning a spot on the NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region Second Team. She also became the first Flyer to throw a perfect game on Mar. 29, 2015 against conference foe Rhode Island.

A Grapevine native, English concluded her career first in the UD record books in strikeouts (564), second in wins (53), third in innings pitched (584) and fourth in opponent batting average (.222).

English guided the Flyers to a school record 39 wins with 14 losses in 2015, advancing to the A-10 Championship game. She finished the season with a 17-5 record with a 2.14 ERA and 121 strikeouts. 

In 2014, English threw the first no-hitter for UD since 2003 at Wright State on Mar. 27. She started a school record 30 games in the circle with a record-tying 39 appearances, being named an A-10 All-Conference Second Team pick for the second-straight season.

As a sophomore, English set the UD single-season strikeouts record with 174, ranking second in the A-10 and 90th in the nation during the season. Her 8.2 strikeouts per seven innings placed her among the best in the country at 35th.

English was an A-10 All-Rookie Team selection and UD’s Rookie of the Year in 2012, leading the Flyers in nine pitching categories in her first season with the team. English’s 134 strikeouts ranked third in the A-10 while placing her ninth in school history for career strikeouts for a freshman.

English competed three years at Fort Worth Christian prior to her collegiate career, ranking second in the entire state of Texas with 1,642 career strikeouts. English set the single-season and career strikeout records at Fort Worth Christian, leading the nation in strikeouts in 2011 with 522 punchouts.

A three-time district MVP, English guided the Cardinals to a TAPPS State Championship in 2011 and runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2010. As a freshman, English garnered Dallas Star-Telegram All-Area Super Team – First Team honors while being named District 5-5A Newcomer of the Year at Colleyville Heritage High School.

English graduated from the University of Dayton in May 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Administration at Midwestern State.