Candace Abrams
Head Softball Coach
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Candace Abrams enters her first season at the helm of the Bulldogs following five years at West Texas A&M University
Prior to arriving at Clarendon, Abrams was a part of a very successful Lady Buff softball program which included: two Lone Star Conference Championships as well as a South Central Regional Title and trip to the DII College World Series. Coaching 13 All-Americans, 21 All-Region, 33 All-Conference; as well as 2 Players of the year.
Abrams enters the 2019-2020 season with an overall career record of 275-93-1 (.745). In 2019 Abrams led WT to a third place finish in the LSC. While leading the country in Homeruns per game, On base percentage and slugging percentage. WT finished 3rd in scoring. WT also set an NCAA record for most Homeruns hit in a game with 10. In 2018 WT finished second in the LSC and led the country in Homeruns per game and slugging percentage, while finishing fourth in batting average and triples per game.
The Tucson native registered her 100th career victory on May 9, 2015 in a 7-6 extra inning victory on Angelo State during the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament in Canyon. Her 200th career win came on May 5, 2017 as the Lady Buffs topped Cameron (7-6) during the Semifinal Round of the LSC Championship in San Angelo.
In 2015 as Abrams helped lead the Lady Buffs to the program’s second straight and third overall Lone Star Conference Championship as they finished the season 45-11 with a 22-6 mark in LSC play. WT made national news during the 2015 season, remaining the top team in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Top-25 Poll for a record 56-straight weeks (2/26/14 - 3/25/15). WT led the nation in four offensive statistical categories during the 2015 season while also hitting 102 homeruns to become the first team in Division II history to reach the century mark in back-to-back years.
Abrams came to Canyon in the summer of 2014 following a two year stint as the head coach at Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference member Colorado Mesa. While at Mesa, she led the Mavericks to the 2014 RMAC regular season title with a 27-21 record while finishing 2013 with an overall record of 28-17-1 and coaching 2 All-Americans in 2014.
Abrams arrived in Grand Junction following two years on the coaching staff at University of Arizona. In 2012, Abrams helped lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Division I Super Regional title game before bowing out to eventual national runner-up, Oklahoma.
Prior to her arrival Arizona she spent two years as assistant coach at NCAA Division II Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, while pursuing her master’s degree. Where she was in charge of outfielders, catchers and assisted with the hitters.
Abrams spent one year in 2008 at Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson
Abrams began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Pima Community College in Tucson from 2005-2007, the Aztecs won the NJCAA Division I Championship in 2006 and the coaching staff was named Coaching Staff of the Year.
A graduate of the University of Arizona, Abrams played four years under legendary head coach Mike Candrea and was a member of the 2001 NCAA Division I National Championship team. A four-year letterwinner, the versatile Abrams played catcher and outfield during her career with the Wildcats. An Academic All-American Honorable Mention, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and State of Arizona Teaching Certification in 2004.
"You have hired a young lady that has a passion for the game" said Candrea "Candace has a tremendous work ethic and will bring great energy and knowledge to your athletes and coaching staff. I am proud that she is a former Wildcat."
Abrams earned her master's degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology in 2010 from Barry University.
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