Caressa DeRossett enters her first season as head coach of the Cardinals in 2021. She was named to the position on February 5, 2021.
 
DeRossett arrives at Wheeling after spending the past four years as an assistant coach at Alfred University in New York, where she worked primarily with the pitchers and outfielders. After serving as a graduate assistant for three seasons, DeRossett was elevated to a full-time assistant coach this past fall.
 
DeRossett handled pitch calling for an Alfred staff that was one of the strongest in the Empire 8 Conference. Over the 12-game shortened 2020 season, the Saxons’ pitching staff posted a 1.59 earned run average (25th in Division III) with five shutouts (tied for eighth in Division III). In the final game of the shortened season, Alfred pitcher Jessica Wilcox tossed a perfect-game and struck out 12 with DeRossett calling in the pitches from the dugout.
 
Prior to Alfred, DeRossett wrapped up her playing career at the University of Wisconsin, Parkside. She appeared in 38 games over two seasons, starting 24 as an outfielder. 
 
DeRossett played her freshman year at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado and then spent her sophomore season at Ohlone Junior College in Fremont, California. In her lone season at Ohlone, DeRossett was a second-team all-conference selection. 
 
DeRossett earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Wisconsin-Parkside in 2017 and a master’s degree in College Student Development from Alfred in 2020.

Taylor Bonnett

Taylor Bonnett is the head softball coach at Highlands Sports. She is a current pitcher for the West Liberty women’s softball team. 

Taylor is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in pitching. During her freshman campaign at West Liberty, Taylor was selected to the Mountain East Conference All-Tournament Team. Her sophomore season didn’t happen due to COVID-19, but she is expected to be a key figure in the 2021 season at West Liberty. 

She was a First-Team All West Virginia pitcher at Poca High School in Poca, WV before beginning her collegiate career at West Liberty. 

Taylor specializes in pitching, hitting, and fielding. She offers private lessons. 

For scheduling, contact Taylor at (304) 389-4722 or email tbbonnett@westliberty.edu.

Mike Bittinger 

Mike brings an extensive background of teaching and coaching baseball to our Highlands Sports staff. In addition to leading the baseball curriculum, Mike is offering private instruction for individuals, small groups, and teams.

Mike’s been working as a baseball instructor for the last 6 years providing private and group lessons to improve players hitting, pitching, and fielding skills. He has a passion for baseball and for teaching not only the big skills such as hitting, fielding, base running, but also focuses on the little things like hand placement, proper mechanics, and baseball awareness. 

Over the 15 years, Mike has been actively involved coaching Shetland, Pinto, and Mustang baseball. In 2014, he established Elm Grove Athletics, a local nonprofit organization and continues to serve as president and head coach for the travel team, the Wheeling Wildthings. He’s also a fielding, speed, and agility instructor for the Foundations Baseball camp, and assists Wheeling Park High School’s baseball team as coach of their fall ball program and assists with winter hitting clinics. Mike is also a certified personal trainer.

For scheduling, contact Mike at (304) 312-8435 or email bittingermw@yahoo.com