Elizabeth Hightower - Softball Coach - Troy University Athletics

Elizabeth Hightower

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
hightowere@troy.edu
Phone:
3446

A two-time NCAA Women’s College World Series participant at Florida and current professional softball player with the Florida Vibe, Elizabeth Hightower, is hired as the new pitching coach for Troy softball, head coach Eric Newell announced Tuesday afternoon.

“We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth to our Troy softball family as our new pitching coach,” Newell said. “Her experience as a Softball America All-American at Florida, combined with her contributions at Florida Atlantic during the last two seasons, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our program. We’re excited to see her immediate impact on our pitchers and the entire team.”

Over the last two years, Hightower doubled her professional playing career as the pitching development coordinator at Florida Atlantic, where she collaborated with head pitching coach Nicole Newman on bullpen planning, weekend game preparation and pitch calling strategies. With her help in recruiting, FAU helped secure the No. 1-ranked transfer class in 2023.

The Owls combined for an 86-28, 44-10 AAC record in her two seasons, earning a bid to the 2024 and 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Gainesville Regional. FAU also won the regular season title in 2024 in its inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference.

At FAU, she worked with the pitchers, which included Ainsley Lambert, who led the AAC in saves (8), hits allowed (63) and runs allowed (31) in 2024. Hightower also worked with Trinity Schlotterbeck. Shlotterbeck earned All-AAC First Team, NFCA DI All-Region First Team, Softball America All-American and NFCA DI All-American with a team-high 10 homers at the plate and a 16-7 record through 144 innings pitched on the mound. She also coached All-American, AAC Pitcher of the Year, All-AAC First Team and the No. 79-ranked player in Softball America’s Top 100 players, Autumn Courtney, in 2025.

“Elizabeth is a rising star in this profession,” head softball coach at FAU, Jordan Clark, said. “Her ability to relate while challenging pitchers is next level. She is a great coach but even better person. I am beyond proud and excited for everyone to see Elizabeth shine.”

A five-year letterwinner at Florida, Hightower reached the peak twice with a Women’s College World Series appearance in 2019 and 2022. She stands as one of three Gator pitchers in program history to throw a no-hitter in an NCAA Regional Championship. She also earned numerous accolades, such as SEC All-Freshman Team and SEC Freshman of the Week in 2019, All-SEC Second Team, two-time SEC Pitcher of the Week, NFCA All-American Third Team and NFCA All-Southeast Region First Team in 2021 and NFCA All-Southeast Region Third Team – Pitcher and Senior CLASS Award Top 10 Finalist in 2022.

After a 57-29 record through 136 appearances (100 starts) for 31 complete games, 18 shutouts, four saves, 561 innings pitched, 427 strikeouts, a 3.16 ERA and a .208 opposing batting average, Hightower signed with Athletes Unlimited in June 2023. After a one-month stint, she went to the Florida Vibe, where she will dawn the No. 22 jersey this summer before coming to Troy in the fall – she’s played for the Vibe since December 2023.

“I am deeply grateful to Coach Newell for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading his pitching staff,” Hightower said. “I look forward to contributing to a program that values excellence, integrity, and family values. I am excited to get this season going.”

Outside of her time at FAU, Florida and the Florida Vibe, Hightower works as a private pitching instructor for over 200 athletes (ages 7-16). She earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology (2021) and a certificate in sports management (2023) at Florida before receiving her master's in anthropology / bioarchaeology from FAU.