Softball
Cognigni, Lauren
Lauren Cognigni
- Title:
- Softball Assistant Coach
- Alma Mater:
- Saint Joseph's University, '08
- Email:
- lcognigni@athletics.pitt.edu
- Season at Pitt:
- Fourth
- Phone:
- 412-648-8064
Lauren Cognigni enters her third season as an assistant coach at Pitt, primarily working with the Panthers’ pitching staff, while assisting with recruiting duties.
Honors and Awards
2017
Honors and Awards
- 2015 NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year
- Led pitchers Sarah Dawson and Kayla Harris to Pitt’s first two perfect games in program history
2017
- Coached junior pitcher Kayla Harris to Pitt’s second perfect game in program history as the Panthers defeated Southeastern Louisiana 5-0 Feb. 26.
- Developed freshman Brittany Knight, who finished eighth in the ACC with 13 wins. Knight led the team in appearances (35) and innings pitched (151.2).
- Helped coach Pitt to a 31-21 overall record, marking the second consecutive season where the Panthers have won 30-plus games.
- Aided Pitt in its second ACC Tournament appearance in back-to-back years.
- Molded freshman Sarah Dawson, who tossed the Panthers’ first perfect game in program history in a 13-0, five-inning win over Providence Feb. 27.
- Coached the Panthers’ pitching staff from a 4.05 ERA in 2015 to a 3.86 ERA in 2016
- Helped Kayla Harris improve from a 3.79 ERA in 2015 to a 3.40 ERA in 2016.
- Led Pitt to its first NCAA Tournament bid in program history where the team advanced to the Regional Final after defeating California and Oakland.
- Coached Pitt to its first ACC Tournament appearance, where the Panthers were runner-ups to Florida State after defeating higher seeds Notre Dame and North Carolina in their opening games.
- Finished with a 37-22 record, the winningest season in program history.
- Coaching staff was named as the 2015 NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
- Saw Savannah King earn First NFCA All-Region First Team honors and ACC All-Tournament accolades.
- Aided Savannah King in improving her ERA from 4.49 in 2014 to 3.23 in 2015.
- Coached pitching staff from a 4.66 ERA to a 4.05 ERA.
- Helped the team to a 20-plus win season in 2014.
- Saw pitcher Kelly Lupton named Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week, while Carolyn Szymanski was named Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week & to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie Team in 2014.
- Coached the pitching staff from a 4.23 ERA in 2012 to a 2.79 ERA in 2013, which finished third in the Colonial Athletic Association for team ERA.
- Helped pitcher Chenxi Jiao from a 3.31 ERA in 2012 to a 2.15 ERA in 2013.
- Saw Delaware finish fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 35-22 record in 2013, opposed to 15-41 record in 2012.
- Improved the pitching staff’s ERA from 5.71 in 2010 to 3.79 in 2009.
- Helped turn around the team’s record in 2009 to 32-22 after going 10-35 in 2010.
- Helped Emily Osterhaus improve her 4.49 ERA in 2010 to a 3.14 ERA in 2011, and earn 15 wins after posting just three in 2010.
- Helped team finish second in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season standings, as opposed to finishing eighth in 2010.
- Acted as the First base coach.
- Helped lead the Hawks to a second-place finish in the A-10 conference.
- Qualified and competed at Gold Nationals in Oklahoma City.
- Four-year starter at Saint Joseph’s University from 2005 to 2008
- Closed out her career with 534 strikeouts, setting a program record.
- Broke the single season strikeout record in 2006 with 186.
- Pitched one of two perfect games in school history during a victory over Lafayette on March 19, 2005.
- Helped lead the Hawks to the A-10 Conference Tournament in 2005 and 2008.
- Graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in 2008 with a degree in English.
- A native of Levittown, Pa., Cognigni currently resides in Pittsburgh.
- Favorite place on the University of Pittsburgh Campus?
- The Petersen Sports Complex, which includes Vartabedian Field, the Panthers’ home softball field
- Favorite Sports moment at Pitt?
- My favorite sports moment at Pitt was beating Cal in the 2015 NCAA Regional Tournament in Ann Arbor to reach the Regional Final against nationally ranked Michigan.
- What is your favorite thing to do in the city of Pittsburgh?
- Going to Pirates games.
- What is your favorite aspect of working in Pitt’s athletic department?
- Working with a great softball staff.
Highlights | Pitt vs. Virginia Tech
Friday, April 18
Highlights | Pitt at Penn State
Tuesday, April 15
Highlights | Pitt vs. Duke
Saturday, April 12
Cami Compson Home Run Highlight
Tuesday, May 21
