Head Coach Coley Ries

Coley Ries Welter enters her fourth season as head coach of the Gustavus Adolphus College softball team in the 2023-24 academic year. Ries Welter was announced as the program's head coach in the fall of 2020.

In her first season at the helm, Ries Welter guided the team to a 17-17 overall record, and 8-14 (eighth) record in MIAC play. Ries Welter improved the team's conference standing the following year, finishing 10-12 in the MIAC, before guiding the Gusties to their best season since 2016 in 2023.

The 2023 Gusties finished with an overall record of 24-18 and 14-8 finish in the MIAC, good for fourth in final conference standings. For the first time in seven years, the Gusties swept St. Catherine in a MIAC doubleheader and defeated nationally-ranked No. 14 Saint Benedict in conference play. The Gusties made history in 2023, hosting the first ever home playoff game at the Gustie Softball Field, defeating St. Catherine 4-1 for the team's first playoff win since 2015.

Four Gusties were named MIAC All-Conference, as senior Piper Otto and junior Madi Mueller each earned their third consecutive All-MIAC honors. Sophomore Kayla Herda also finished as an All-Conference performer, leading the team in hits, runs, at-bats, triples, total bases, and stolen bases. First-year pitcher Maizie Anderson received the All-Conference nod after posting a 3.21 ERA in 18 games, while Caitlin Olafsson earned MIAC Honorable Mention honors. Sophomore Greta Dahlen made Gustavus and MIAC history in the 2023 season, as the right fielder was named a recipient of the 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove Award presented by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Dahlen was one of nine individuals to win the award, and finished the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, committing no errors in 62 total chances.

Previous to taking the position at Gustavus, Ries Welter spent three years as a volunteer and graduate assistant coach at her alma mater, Minnesota State University-Mankato. During this time, Ries Welter served as the primary pitching coach for the Mavericks, helping the team achieve an overall record of 89-41. While on the Mavericks’ coaching staff, Ries Welter operated the team’s social media accounts, organized fundraisers, and compiled scouting reports on opposing teams.

Ries Welter, a 2017 graduate of MSU-Mankato, was a standout pitcher for the Mavericks, compiling a wealth of achievements as a player. As the ace of the pitching staff, Ries Welter led the Mavericks to the 2017 NCAA Division II national championship where she posted a 41-3 overall record with a 1.05 ERA while striking out 476 batters in 294.2 innings. After going 5-0 at the national tournament with a 1.20 ERA and 50 strikeouts, Ries Welter earned Most Outstanding Player honors. She was named the 2017 NFCA Division II Player of the Year and the D2CCA Pitcher of the Year. Ries Welter also earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, was a two-time All-American, two-time Central Region Pitcher of the Year, and three-time NSIC Pitcher of the Year. Since graduating in 2017, Ries Welter has played professional softball for the Texas Charge, Chicago Bandits, and the Aussie Spirit.