Bradley Softball Adds Ybarra & Younker To Coaching Staff

Softball 8/13/2018 10:30:00 AM

PEORIA, Ill. -- Former Cal State Fullerton standout Desiree Ybarra is the newest addition to the Bradley Softball coaching staff, with 11th-year Bradley head coach Amy Hayes announcing the former professional and current member of the Venezuela National Team will serve as an assistant coach for the Braves. In addition to Ybarra joining the coaching staff, Hayes also announced Rich Younker joined the squad earlier this summer as a volunteer assistant.

A California native, Ybarra spent the 2018 season as an assistant coach at Rhodes College, helping the Lynx to the first conference tournament championship appearance in program history in her lone season at the Memphis, Tenn., school.

"We are excited to have Desi join our staff," said Hayes. "With a wealth of softball experience, both nationally and internationally as a player, and her proven contributions at Rhodes, she will provide valuable guidance for our battery. She's on a bit of a whirlwind tour, having just played in Columbia and now Japan at the Worlds, but we look forward to her feet hitting the ground running in Peoria very soon. "

Ybarra played professionally in both Australia and Italy in both 2016 and 2017 after graduating from Cal State Fullerton in 2016 with degrees in both human services and sociology. This summer she pitched for the Venezuelan National Team at the 2018 Central American Caribbean Games in addition to the Women's Softball World Championship, which concluded Sunday.

"I am excited to start this journey at Bradley University," Ybarra said. "I would like to thank Coach Hayes for this amazing opportunity. I am excited to get to work and to be a part of this program."

The lefty hurler, who will work primarily with Bradley's pitching staff, was the 2016 Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-West Region First Team pick as a senior. Ybarra was a two-time all-region performer during her time with the Titans. She was 16-7 in the circle in her final collegiate season in 2016, ranking 38th in the nation with a 1.82 ERA.

After missing the entire 2014 season due to an injury, Ybarra pitched in 27 games with 15 starts and owned an 11-7 record with a 2.90 ERA during her junior campaign. She wrapped up her time at Cal State Fullerton with the school career record for pitching appearances (154) and also ranks among the top 10 in school history in victories, starts, saves and innings pitched.

A Taylorville, Ill., native, Younker boasts three decades of playing experience in men's fastpitch; helping his teams to eight Amateur Softball Association (ASA) state championships and a pair of top-three ASA national finishes in 1979 (2nd) and 1980 (3rd).

"I have known Rich for almost 30 years through his many years of playing men's fastpitch," stated Hayes. "I grew up watching some of the greats play the game, and Rich had the privilege of playing alongside them. An accomplished pitcher in his own right, his energy and enthusiasm are contagious and we look forward to having him on staff."

Younker also played at the international level, taking part in four International Softball Association Tournaments in addition to six ASA national tournaments. He was named the ASA Most Valuable Pitcher for the state of Illinois in 2006 and earned ASA All-State honors in 1986. Younker started in men's fastpitch with the Taylorville Blues and also had playing stints with the Taylorville Bob Ridings, Nokomis Ronchetti District and Cerro Gordo Merchants.

"I could not be more excited to give back to this great game and join the Bradley family, " Younker said.

Younker resides in Morton, Ill., and has two children: Claire, a sophomore on the women's soccer team at Illinois Central College, and Gabe.

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