Cedar Crest College Women's Softball

Begley will enter her eighth season as the Head Softball Coach in 2026. She joined the staff back in 2016 as the as the Assistant Softball Coach and Assistant to Game Day Management and Athletic Operations. Begley also holds titles of Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, Senior Woman Administrator, and leads the department’s Title IX efforts. Begley has taken the softball program to new heights, leading the program to its first Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021. She guided the Falcons to a 21-5 overall record, along with a 16-2 mark in conference play. Cedar Crest earned the conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament and traveled to Seguin, Texas for the Regional Tournament. The Falcons picked up a pair of victories in the tournament, another first for the program. Through seven seasons at the helm, Begley holds an overall head coaching record of 101-109 with an impressive 65-31 mark in league play.   In 2025, Begley guided Cedar Crest to an 18-22 overall record with a 10-6 mark in conference play, grabbing the sixth seed for the conference tournament. Two of her student-athletes collected All-Conference honors. In 2023, Begley led the Falcons to a 17-17 overall record with a 14-2 mark in conference play, earning the top seed in the conference tournament. Eight of her student-athletes earned All-Conference recognition.  In her first year leading the charge in 2019, she led the Falcons to a 19-24 overall record (9-5 CSAC) and a spot in the CSAC Championship Game. The Falcons earned a number two seed in the tournament and advanced to its first championship game appearance in program history. Begley has coached 40 All-Conference players, including a pair of CSAC Players of the Year award winners, a CSAC Pitcher of the Year, and a CSAC Rookie of the Year. Prior to coming to Allentown, she attended West Chester University of Pennsylvania and was a four-year letter winner on the softball team. She was a part of three record-breaking seasons and three NCAA Championship appearances. In her senior season, the Golden Rams were Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Champions, Atlantic Regional Champions, and placed sixth in the NCAA Division II College World Series. After her playing career, Begley began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach at West Chester University, primarily worked with the outfielders. Begley graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Chester University with a bachelor’s degree, as she majored and earned a teaching certification in health and physical education with a minor in adapted physical education. (Updated 6/5/25)  

Horning was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations/Associate Head Softball Coach in January 2025.   In this dual role, Horning oversees the daily operations of Cedar Crest College's athletic facilities while continuing to coach the softball program. With a strong commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, Cedar Crest Athletics continues to uphold its core values of leadership, integrity, service, excellence, and community to enhance the student-athlete experience. Horning has played a vital role in managing and scheduling rental contracts for the department, making significant improvements with community rental groups and ensuring seamless operations for various athletic facilities. She will continue to organize and lead student workers, manage payroll, and schedule facility coverage. Additionally, Horning completed her first season as the Associate Head Softball Coach in 2025 after serving three years as an assistant coach. In her role as the Associate Head Softball Coach, Horning focuses on training and developing softball student-athletes in the fundamentals of the game, creating and executing game and practice plans, and guiding athletes on health, nutrition, wellness, safety, and team concepts. She will address academic concerns and assist in monitoring academic progress for our softball student-athletes. Furthermore, she will continue to recruit prospective athletes to maintain a strong and competitive softball roster, fostering mentoring relationships and providing a positive, supportive athletic and academic experience. (Updated 6/5/25)