- 2010 NFCA Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year
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Vanessa Becerra finished her fourth season with Metro State and her first as the head coach in 2011. Her team went 34-18 in her first season, winning the RMAC regular season championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. The team's big offense continued as had been the tradition built over the previous three years of the program, as Metro State finished third in the nation in home runs per game and 16th in slugging percentage. The Roadrunners led the RMAC in scoring and home runs as well.
On the pitching side, Metro State was second in the RMAC in ERA and third in opponent batting average in conference games. Four of Becerra's players were named All-RMAC, led by all-region outfielder Jenessa Tesone, who finished her career fifth all-time in Division II in home runs.
Prior to being named interim head coach in summer 2010, Becerra spent the previous three seasons as the top assistant under Jen Fisher.
In 2010, she helped head coach Jen Fisher earn the highest honor for a college coach, garnering CaptainU National Coach of the Year honors. The Roadrunners made their second straight NCAA Tournament apperance and won their second straight RMAC regular season and tournament championships. Metro State finished the year with a 53-6 mark, including a conference record 37 wins with just two losses. However, the wins were not the only record set by the Roadrunners in 2010. They shattered the national home run record, totaling 112 to top the previous record of 98. They also broke the RMAC records for ERA, runs scored (tied the previous record) and home runs in conference games. Metro State also set the school record by winning 17 consecutive games from April 10 to May 6.
The team was led by third baseman Tara Mickelson, who was named Daktronics second team All-America and led the nation in home runs with 25 long balls. Shortstop Amber Roundtree and pitcher Christie Robinson were also honorable mention All-America selections. Robinson was also named RMAC and Central Region Pitcher of the Year.
After winning the RMAC regular season title, Metro State bounced back in the loser's bracket to win the RMAC Tournament after dropping a second round game. The Roadrunners swept Mesa State in the championship, winning 19-6 in the first game and 11-9 in 10 innings in the championship game. They went on to go 3-0 at the regional tournament, topping Mesa State again and Minnesota State twice. Facing No. 17 Wayne State (Neb.) in the super regional, Metro State won game one 2-1 on a walk-off home run by Jennessa Tesone and took game two 6-2 in nine innings to advance to the World Series.
At the World Series in St. Joseph, Mo., the Roadrunners fell in the opening round to No. 19 Angelo State (Texas) in a game that will be remembered for 20 illegal pitches called on the Roadrunners. Fisher's team regrouped and edged No. 7 Wayne State (Mich.) 1-0 and No. 1 North Georgia 4-1, beating first team All-America pitchers in each game. The season finally came to an end with No. 3 Hawaii Pacific, which went on to win the national championship.
Becerra and the coaches were named NFCA Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
In Becerra's second season in 2009, Metro State went 40-12 overall, winning the RMAC regular season and tournament championships in just the second year of the program. The Roadrunners also advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Metro State went 32-18 overall in 2008, the first season of softball for Metro State since the program was reinstated. In conference play, Metro State finished with a 26-11 mark, a second-place finish in the RMAC East Division and a trip to the conference tournament. Additionally, the Roadrunners led the nation in home runs per game.
Besides the Roadrunners' exploits on the field, the team established a partnership with the Denver West High School softball team off the field, as the Roadrunners helped the girls with life skills, academic and personal pressures. The team received a community engagement award from the NCAA for its efforts.
Becerra spent the 2006-07 season at Armstrong Atlantic University in Savannah, Ga., where she was the 2007 Peach Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Prior to her time at Armstrong Atlantic, Becerra played for two seasons under Fisher at Otero Junior College. While at Otero, she earned all-America and Region IX Player of the Year honors in 2005, and also helped the Rattlers to two Region IX championships.
Becerra graduated from Metro State in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in sport industry operations. She gave birth to a girl, Makaila, in June, 2010.
Becerra's Collegiate Head Coaching Record
| Year |
School |
Overall |
Conference |
Postseason/Championships |
| 2011 |
Metro State |
34-18 |
28-11 |
RMAC Regular Season champions
NCAA Tournament |
| 1 Year |
Overall |
34-18 |
28-11 |
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