Minnesota State softball coach
Kristle Wolcott has announced that former Maverick All-American and 2017 AFCA National Player of the Year,
Coley Ries Welter has joined her staff as an assistant coach.
"Partnering with Coley in this next chapter is a true privilege," Wolcott said. "Coley and I have a long history in this program and this community. We share a vision for creating an environment where student-athletes thrive in all areas of life. We won a national championship together in 2017 and are deeply rooted in the Mankato softball community. As great a player and coach as Coley has been, her character and leadership make her an even greater teammate in this work. As we step into this next chapter, I couldn't ask for a better partner."
Ries Welter has spent the past five years as the head coach at Gustavus Adolphus College (98-97). She led the Gusties to their best conference season since 2016 a year ago with a record of 17-5. Throughout her stint with the Gusties, she helped guide the pitching staff to a conference leading ERA in 2024, three conference tournament appearances, and 13 All-Conference selections highlighted by a Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner.
"First off, nothing can be said before thanking Coach Meyer for her endless years of support to women's athletics, the program and myself. I wouldn't be where I am today without her," said Ries Welter. "I am unbelievably excited to be back home. Being a Maverick and winning a National Championship in purple and gold was always a dream of mine, and now getting to help lead the program with one of my biggest mentors is beyond any dream I could've had. My goal is to give current and future Maverick softball players the fulfilling, impactful and life changing college experience that I was given."
During her time on the Maverick staff, MSU played to an 89-41 record.
Ries was a stellar performer during her time at Minnesota State and one of the most accomplished players in the history of the program. Over the course of her playing career from 2013-2017, Ries pitched to a 119-35 record. When her playing career concluded at Minnesota State, she held (and still holds) school records in wins (119), games started (146), appearances (178), innings pitched (999.1), and strikeouts (1,481). Additionally, she is second in saves (nine), complete games (104), shutouts (39) and fifth in earned run average (1.60).
In 2017, Ries anchored the Maverick pitching staff, going 41-3 in 43 starts, while appearing in 52 games and working 249.2 innings. She struck out 476 batters while limiting opponents to a .141 batting average, collected five saves and recorded 17 shutouts en route to the 2017 National Championship title.
As a senior, she set MSU's single season record in appearances (52), wins (41) and strikeouts (476). Over the course of her four-year career, Ries set the single season record for strikeouts three times (2015-297; 2016-434; and 2017-476).
During the Mavericks' run to the national title, Ries went 5-0 and threw all 35 innings in five consecutive days at the NCAA Championships, tallied a 1.20 ERA and posted 50 strikeouts. She was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after lifting the trophy.
Her mantle is littered with accolades as she was named the 2017 NFCA
National Player of the Year, a NFCA & D2CCCA
First-Team All-American as well as a CoSIDA
Academic All-American in 2017. In 2016 she was named a D2CCA
Second-Team All-American and a
Third-Team All-American by the NFCA.
Ries Welter played professionally with the Texas Charge, Chicago Bandits and Aussie Spirit after her collegiate playing career. She also played in the inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), a professional softball league launched in 2025.
Ries Welter earned her undergraduate degree in mass media with a minor in communication studies at Minnesota State. She also earned a master's degree in educational leadership.
Ries Welter and her husband Alex reside in North Mankato and have an infant daughter, Cameron.
