Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Women's Softball

Bio Bryant & Stratton College is happy to welcome back Pete Berrios as the new head softball coach.  Berrios’ first stint at Bryant & Stratton was an assistant baseball coach in 2018.  Berrios brings over 30-years of coaching experience, starting back in the early 90s in Detroit, Michigan, when he was the head coach at Oakland Catholic and Notre Dame Prep High School in his early 20.  During that time, he also led Team Michigan Mustangs to the AAU National Championships.  Following those stints, in his mid-20s he started coaching with the Oakland A’s organization and became one of the youngest managers in professional baseball.  After that, he started his own business PB Baseball and Softball and PUREHITTING™ in Cleveland, Ohio, which he has since moved to Boca Raton, Florida.  During the early 2000s, his programs went on to win four national championships.  PUREHITTING™ has become one of the premier training organizations, making him one of the top coaches globally and amongst the most sought-after for motivational speeches for student-athletes, parents and coaches.  Berrios also previously coached in the Clark Griffith College Baseball League, Lake Erie Collegiate League, Florida Gulf Coast League (Softball) and Carolina Collegiate Softball League. Some of his stops in college coaching included Richard Bland College Softball, Chestnut Hill College Softball, where he led the team to the NCAA Tournament, and Furman University Softball.  He has coached high school varsity softball in Alabama, Ohio, Georgia and Florida. “My heart has always been in Virginia Beach and I’ve always considered it my home and I’m happy to return to such a special place to me and my family and it’s an honor to lead Bryant & Stratton Softball,” said Berrios.  “To have the opportunity to give a platform to young women is something I welcome.  I look forward to building a strong national program and to open doors for our student-athletes, academically, athletically and in life.” 

Bio Kelly Ahrens is from Columbia, SC and has been coaching and developing athletes for 30 years. He has coached baseball and softball and all levels and is most passionate about helping in the development of committed athletes.  Kelly uses the ACE Capacity test to determine the athletic capacity of each athlete and then provides a data-driven approach that can target the areas in need for each specific athlete. Kelly has been working with the Florida State Softball program for many years, testing and consulting with a National Championship team and staff.  Kelly founded the Carolina Collegiate Softball League, was the founder of Fastpitch U collegiate team that played in the Florida Gulf Coast League, and he founded Stars and Stripes Sports who has had over 20,000 baseball and softball players participate in state, regional and national team events all over the United States, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.

Bio Madison "Madi" Watkins originally from Pampa, TX joins the staff after an outstanding career with the Bobcats including two and a half great seasons where she was the starting center fielder. Madi was apart of the first winning season for the Bobcats, the first conference tournament appearance, first conference tournament championship appearance, first south district championship win, and the first national tournament appearance. Over the course of her career Madi was known as a leader both n the field and in the classroom and she was honored the staff becoming the first player in program history to have their jersey retired. Madi now joins the staff hoping to make yet another national tournament appearance while she continues toward her bachelors degree in Human & Social Services expecting to graduate in June 2026.  

Bio Livie Gardner is a Virginia Beach native with a passion for both business and softball. Growing up, she spent most of her life playing the sport, which taught her teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Currently, Gardner is studying at Bryant & Stratton College (BSC) looking to earn her Associate of Applied Science in Business, while in a team manager role with the BSC softball team. "I am aiming to combine my athletic background with a strong foundation in leadership and strategy to pursue a successful career." said Gardner