EDMOND, Okla. (June 8, 2022) – Kayla (Eichler) Carlsward, a standout hitter for Oklahoma Christian's softball team that won the 2019 Heartland Conference title, has been named as the head coach at Edmond Memorial High School.

Carlsward's appointment was made official on Monday by the Edmond Public Schools Board of Education. She'll take over a program that has become one of the strongest in Oklahoma Class 6A. In her three seasons as an assistant coach at Edmond Memorial, the Bulldogs have gone 88-21 with three trips to the state tournament, including a 6A fast-pitch title in fall 2019.

"I'm truly living my dream," Carlsward said. "Ever since I was a freshman in high school and first became a Bulldog myself, I knew I wanted to come back here and give back to the game that had given me so much. There's no better place to do that then at your alma mater!"

She played for OC from 2016-19. She was a first-team All-South Central Region selection as a designated player in 2019, when she hit .357 with 34 RBIs and helped lead the Eagles to the Heartland title and the program's first NCAA Division II tournament appearance. She was a two-time All-Heartland first-team selection and earned All-America Scholar-Athlete honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Her 20 doubles as a junior in 2018 ranks third on OC's single-season list in that statistical category. She had a career batting average of .308.

"I am super excited for Kayla as she takes on this new journey," OC coach Shalee Rodriguez said. "I only got to coach 'Eichler' for one year, but I knew she would impact lives one day soon. She is a person, and was a player, who always made those around her better. Kayla brought her best daily with the best attitude and I know she will do the same as a coach! She will be a fantastic role model for all of her athletes. I'm proud of Kayla and know she will do big things at Memorial!"