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OUR SOFTBALL STAFF
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University of Minnesota
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2017 - Present
Contact Information
ERIKA SMYTH
OWNER + GENERAL MANAGER
Head of Hitting & Defensive Instruction
Erika’s career in softball began in 2017, when she started as a club coach and instructor following the creation of our Softball Department. As of December 2022, Erika proudly took on the role of Owner & General Manager of Catalyst Softball Academy (formerly Starters Softball), where she leads the organization with a vision for excellence. With over a decade of coaching and instruction experience, Erika serves as the Head of Hitting & Defensive Instruction, overseeing our elite-level High Performance programs, College Offseason programs, personal lessons, and camps and clinics at Catalyst Sports Lab—our cutting-edge, data-driven softball development facility in Savage, MN.
A proud native of Washington state, Erika was recruited by former Gopher Softball Head Coach Jessica Allister and went on to have a standout career at the University of Minnesota. As a four-year letter winner, Erika was part of the historic class of 2015 that led the Gophers to their first NCAA Regional appearance in 10 years in 2013, their first Big Ten Championship in 15 years in 2014, and their first-ever Regional Championship and Super Regional appearance in 2014. Erika finished her career with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage at second base in 2014. She is also the first and only player in Gopher Softball history to win back-to-back Teammate of the Year awards in 2014 and 2015—the only award voted on by her teammates.
Erika graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing, and she was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. As a coach, Erika has led her teams to various championships, including the prestigious 2019 Colorado Sparkler Championship, one of the nation’s largest youth softball tournaments. She now coaches teams at all age levels, from 10U to 18U, and is passionate about developing young athletes to reach their full potential.
In addition to her coaching career, Erika is a voice for Gopher Softball, serving as the NCAA softball color commentator for Gopher Softball home games on B1G+ and working alongside Mike Grimm to call Gopher Softball games at the Women’s College World Series on KFAN radio in Oklahoma City. Currently, Erika is also the head coach at Prior Lake High School, where she continues to impact the next generation of softball players in Savage, MN.
University of Connecticut
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2018 - Present
MARYBETH OLSON
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Head of Pitching Instruction & Player Development
Marybeth is a 2017 graduate of Chanhassen High School, where she was a standout athlete and leader, earning the title of captain for both her basketball and softball teams. During her high school career, she was named Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, and led her team to a state championship.
Marybeth is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she excelled in softball while receiving a degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition. Over the course of her college career, she posted an impressive 2.21 ERA and recorded 299 strikeouts in 266 innings pitched. She went 10-0 with a 1.46 ERA before the COVID-19 pandemic cut her season short. Marybeth has also thrown two career no-hitters and set a personal best with 14 strikeouts in a game against #24-ranked James Madison University (JMU).
With seven years of coaching experience, Marybeth is now in her sixth year with Catalyst Softball. Although she specializes in pitching, she plays a key role in educating and mentoring all instructors, particularly in the areas of biomechanics and body movement patterns. Marybeth is now a full-time staff member and Director of Research & Development as well as our Head of Pitching Development.
SOFTBALL INSTRUCTORS
University of Minnesota
2025 - Present
TAYLOR KRAPF
HITTING & CATCHING INSTRUCTOR
Taylor is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she had a stellar softball career and earned a degree in Psychology. Over three seasons with the Gophers, she started 160 games at catcher and posted a .328 batting average and became only the 7th player in Gopher history to reach 40 home runs. She played one year at Duke University before transferring to MInnesota.
Over her three seasons with the Gophers, she has earned numerous honors including NFCA Third Team All-American, NFCA All-Region, All-Big Ten First Team, Academic All-Big Ten, and CSC Academic All-American.
Taylor currently plays professionally for the the Atlanta Smoke in the Women’s Professional Fastpitch League. In her first season, she helped contribute to the Smoke’s 2025 Championship Series victory.
University of Minnesota - Duluth
HANNAH SCHMOLL
Hitting, Slapping & Outfield Instructor
Hannah is a 2014 graduate of Grand Rapids High School, where she excelled in softball, hockey, and soccer. She continued her athletic career at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Public Health Education and Promotions.
As a four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Hannah posted an impressive career batting average of .386 and stole 150 bases. Her outstanding performance earned her numerous accolades, including:
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All-NSIC First Team (2015, 2018)
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All-NSIC Second Team (2016, 2017)
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All-Central Region Team (2015, 2018)
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NSIC Gold Glove (2017, 2018)
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2018 Division II Collegiate Commissioners Association All-American Second Team
Hannah played a key role in leading the Bulldogs to two NCAA tournament appearances, including their historic run to the Super Regional tournament in 2018—the furthest a UMD team had ever advanced.
In addition to her athletic career, Hannah is currently a full-time special education teacher and is in the process of obtaining her yoga instructor certification. She is the head of instruction for Catalyst’s High Performance Outfield Program and also assists with our High Performance Hitting Program.