Courtesy: Cumberlands Sports Information
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – After guiding the University of the Cumberlands softball program into a national contender, head coach Bailey Dillender has stepped down to pursue other coaching opportunities, it was announced Monday afternoon. Coach Dillender spent the past eight-year elevating UC softball into an elite program within the NAIA.
"I want to thank Bailey and the coaching staff for their incredible dedication to Cumberlands and the softball program," said Athletic Director Chris Kraftick. "When Bailey took over the program she had a vision and seeing her implement that over the years has been special to watch."
Dillender guided the Patriots to a 271-122-1 record, including a 130-47 record in conference play in her time at Cumberlands. That record includes four 40+ wins seasons, which is the most in program history, including a record setting 49 wins during the 2023 campaign. The Patriots also captured three straight Mid-South Conference regular season titles to go along with a pair of MSC Tournament titles (2023, 2025). In 2023, the Patriots made MSC history becoming the first conference school to go unbeaten in conference play, a feat that they replicated in 2025.
"I'm forever indebted to Coach Kraftick and Cumberlands for the opportunity they gave me eight years ago to grow and lead our softball program. It is my belief that it was Coach Kraftick who saw me fit as a young inexperienced leader, and he offered me the opportunity of a lifetime. That partnership over the last eight years has truly made Cumberlands one of the most elite softball programs in the country," said Coach Dillender.
In addition to their conference success, Cumberlands has advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in each of the past three years and hosted the NAIA Opening Round. The Patriots went a combined 9-0 during the Opening Round to advance to the NAIA World Series for three consecutive years. UC's best finish came in 2023 when they posted a third-place finish.
Dillender has been named the Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year four times, while the Patriots have garnered NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year for the past three years. Coach Dillender also garnered the Mid-South Conference "Coaching for Significance" Award in 2023. Under her tutelage, Cumberlands softball has garnered 12 NAIA All-Americans, three MSC Players of the Year (Keatts, Gainer, Oliver), three MSC Pitchers of the Year (Burgess 2x, Shope), 50 MSC All-Conference selections, and 19 MSC Gold Glove award winners.
"There's an immense amount of gratitude for everyone who has been apart of this journey. I'm proud of the work we have done, and I'm certain that the best days for UC softball are still ahead!" added Coach Dillender. "I look forward to watching its continued success from a different view. Cumberlands is a special place with special people and that is what I will undoubtedly miss the most."
Cumberlands is coming off a 40-9 season in which they captured both the MSC regular season and tournament titles and won the NAIA Opening Round Williamsburg Bracket before advancing to the NAIA World Series.