Nike Softball Camp at St. Mary’s University

Camp Coaches

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  Taylor Lira

  Director

  Taylor Lira was named the Head Softball Coach at St. Mary's University on June 4, 2025. Lira, formerly Stoltz, has been the head coach at Sterling College in Kansas for the previous five seasons, and instilled a faith-based leadership coaching style that resonated with the Rattlers' community from the first moment.

  View Taylor's Bio
  

  Taylor Lira

  Director

  Lira turned around a floundering program at Sterling College in five seasons as the head coach. The team was 10-32 in her first season (2021), and she has increased the number of wins each season to post a 37-19 record in 2025 and take her team to the semifinals of the NCCAA World Series after winning the Central Region, earning NCCAA Central Region Coach of the Year. The Lady Warriors posted a 12-game winning streak during the season, the longest in over 20 years, and had four players earn First-Team All-Central Region honors in the NCCAA. In 2022-23, Sterling Softball received the NAIA Champions of Character Team Award for its exemplary character on the field, on campus, and in the community.

  She spent two years as an assistant coach at Barton County Community College prior to becoming the head coach at Sterling, helping lead the Cougars to a second-place finish in the Jayhawk East standings with a 20-6 record. Head Coach Tyler Gunelson was named Co-Coach of the Year in 2019 with Lira at his side. At Barton County, Lira organized an optional Bible study with the team to help foster spiritual growth with the student-athletes
  

  Lira played collegiately at Southeastern University (Florida). She still holds the Fire career record for walks drawn (89) and ranks in the top five in both runs scored (4th) and triples (5th). She was a two-time The Sun All-Conference selection, leading the team with 26 stolen bases and a .318 batting average as a freshman. She added 36 steals in 2016 and led the team in both runs scored and walks. In her final campaign, Lira led the team in walks and on-base percentage (.510). She graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports and recreation management in May 2017.
  
  Lira is originally from Mishawaka, Indiana, where she recorded a 49-game hitting streak at Mishawaka High School. She earned the 2013 Shelly Warner Award for the top female student-athlete after earning four Northern Indiana All-Conference selections. She was also named to the All-State team, was MVP of the conference and played in the ICGSA North/South All-Star Game.
  
  Lira becomes the sixth head coach in St. Mary's history, taking over a team that finished 26-29 last season and 21-23 in the extremely tough Lone Star Conference. She and her husband David, reside in San Antonio.
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  Calynn Gicante

  Assistant Coach

  Calynn Gicante begins her softball coaching journey at St. Mary’s in the 2026 season, joining Head Coach Taylor Lira from Sterling College.

  View Calynn's Bio
  

  Calynn Gicante

  Assistant Coach

  Gicante spent one season at Sterling, helping the Lady Warriors reach the NCCAA World Series Semifinals in 2025 with a program record 37 wins (37-19) and a spot in the KCAC Tournament. She helped four players earn NCCAA All-Central Region honors, including Bryley Westfahl, who transferred to StMU with the staff, and Mariah Cunningham, who was named the Central Region Player of the Year.
  
  Gicante played four seasons at Illinois College, starting in 101 games. She increased her offensive production every season, hitting .390 with a .537 slugging percentage as a senior. She ended her time with 102 hits, 61 RBI, 27 doubles, 24 walks, and five stolen bases. Gicante also spent time in the circle for the Lady Blues her last two seasons, pitching 37.1 innings, mostly in relief, with one save and a 4.88 ERA. She earned Second-Team All-Midwest Conference honors as a senior at first base, after earning First-Team Utility honors as a junior. She helped IC win three conference championships and two regular-season titles in her four years.
  
  She is a native of St. Louis, graduating from Illinois College in May 2024 with a degree in sports management and marketing.