Ex-49ers softball star returns as assistant coach

Former Charlotte 49ers star and Central Cabarrus High softball coach Kristi Killough has been hired as an assistant coach with the 49ers. Killough was one of two recent additions to Charlotte coach Aimee DeVos' staff - the other is former Missouri State pitcher Missy Porche, who will join the program in October.

Killough is the 49ers' all-time leader in home runs (20) and ranks second in RBIs (105). She hit a school-record 11 home runs and had 47 RBIs as the 49ers won a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference title and earned a school-record 42 wins in 2006.

A native of Concord, Killough played for Central Cabarrus' state championship teams in 2000 and 2001 and ended her high school career at Jay Robinson High and was named The Charlotte Observer's Female Athlete of the Year in 2003.

"Kristi brings coaching experience, passion for the 49ers program and an incredible knowledge of hitting to our offense," DeVos said.

- Jim Utter