Maria DeBonis Braxmeier has joined the Liberty High School softball team as its pitching coach for the 2014 season.

The Broughal Middle School math teacher graduated from Moravian College in 2009 and is second on Moravian's all-time strikeout list with 528.

"It's really fun. We're getting a little stir crazy, practicing inside all the time. We're very anxious to get outside," she said.

Braxmeier, who recently married, was the junior varsity softball coach at Freedom under Denny Hollinger.

"This is the first time I'm working with solely pitchers. I like it, and I'm focusing on getting them stronger," said Braxmeier.

Deb Renner and Lauren Epsaro are the senior pitchers for the Hurricanes. Victoria Schmidt, also a pitcher, is an underclassman.

"I'm not trying to change their motion. We're doing endurance and strength drills, and they're going to need to be strong. We have games every day [this week] because of all the rainouts," Braxmeier said.

Braxmeier is also working with the catchers.

"I want to get the catchers comfortable with calling the pitches. Right now, I'm doing it," she said.

Braxmeier was 51-13 in her pitching career at Moravian. She graduated with a 1.30 ERA and 26 shutouts.