Lake Superior State’s third-year head softball coach, Lori Shimasaki, has ties to the nation’s hotbed of softball, southern California, and a history of involvement with elite programs in the West.

Shimasaki grew up near Norman, Okla., and played many games in the famous Don Porter Stadium, site of the Women’s College World Series and World Cup of Softball. She played one season at the University of Oklahoma before transferring to Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, Cal. As a freshman, Shimasaki was a pinch runner for Big 12 Conference champion and World Series qualifier Oklahoma. She went on to set Azusa Pacific’s career stolen base record and earn NAIA All-America honorable mention as an outfielder in 2006. She had a career batting average of .371 while playing three seasons at APU, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies/physical education in 2007.

Shimasaki served three seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater before moving on to Chadron State University (Neb.) in 2009-10. Responsibilities at Chadron State included managing budgets, recruiting, camps and fund-raising. She was involved in all aspects of the coaching process, including pitching. Last season, Chadron State was 25-30 overall and placed third in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Eagles’ lineup included one all-America and three All-RMAC players.

Shimasaki was a private instructor in southern California. While there, she was also assistant director of the Night of Champions Youth Outreach, which is a ministry for 7,000 inner city youth.

Shimasaki is working on a master’s degree in sports management.

Has served as a student assistant, working mainly with the pitching staff, since suffering a career-ending injury during the 2009-10 season.

Prior to LSSU: Was a four-time All-Northeast Michigan Conference honoree and three-time all-region selection with a career record of 96-37 with 31 shutouts, 1,057 strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA. Stein, who helped lead Tawas High School to a Division 2 district title in 2009, held opposing hitters to a .110 batting average. Daughter of Tim and Terri Stein. Major: management/business.