FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
PITTSBURGH – Pitt baseball recently completed its coaching staff as head coach Joe Jordano announced the hiring of Jacke Healey as a volunteer assistant. Healey joins pitching coach Jerry Oakes as the two newest members of a staff looking to continue the Panthers’ streak of postseason play.
Healey arrives at Pitt after a highly successful playing career at Youngstown State, which led to him being drafted by the Houston Astros in the 27th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. In two seasons with the Tri-City ValleyCats, he hit eight home runs, three triples and 11 doubles, and helped guide the team to the 2011 league championship.
“I am very pleased that Jacke has joined our staff,” said Pitt head coach Joe Jordano. “He was an outstanding player and I’m excited about bringing his expertise as an infielder to our program. He will handle all of our infield play as well as assist Coach Lopaze with the offense. Coach Healey will also coordinate all of our camp activity throughout the year. Jacke completes a very strong staff for this season.”
In two years at Youngstown State, Healey established himself as one of the program’s all-time great infielders. He earned first team all-conference recognition at shortstop twice, becoming the first player in program history to accomplish that feat. He currently holds the Penguins’ single- season records for home runs (12), RBI (59) and runs scored (63).
Prior to playing at Youngstown State, Healey played two seasons at Potomac State College of West Virginia. He was named a NJCAAA All-American as a sophomore after hitting .456 with 67 hits, 15 doubles and 11 home runs. He was one of nine players in the country to be named a Rawlings Big Stick Award Winner and was also selected as the Region 20 Player of the Year.
In high school, Healey led Lackawanna Trail High School to the state championship game, while earning all-state, all-region and all-conference honors. He returned to Lackawanna as an assistant coach in 2012 and helped guide the team to a district championship.
Healey graduated from Youngstown State in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies/history.
