Bella Ligotti was hired as the newest member of the Presbyterian College softball staff on September 15, 2026.
Ligotti brings three years of Big South experience as a player for Gardner-Webb, later transferring to Nova Southeastern where she spent her senior season in 2026.
“We are very excited about the addition of Coach Ligotti”, commented Williams, who has been Presbyterian’s head coach since 2019 and holds 495 career victories (159 at PC).
“We look forward to the contributions that Bella will make to our program as we look to build off a successful 2025 season.”
The Blue Hose returned to the Big South Tournament last spring by winning five of their final eight regular season conference games. They will bring back four All-Big South recipients, three of which landed First Team honors.
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN (2026)
- Ligotti ended her playing career in her home state of Florida, helping the Nova Southeastern Sharks win 30 games last season and claim 16 victims in the Division II Sunshine State Conference.
- She made 19 starts for Nova Southeastern, collecting five total hits in the last two series of the year against Florida Southern and Lynn.
- When factoring in her first three seasons at Gardner-Webb prior to NSU, Ligotti earned career numbers of: 85 games, 56 starts, a .205 batting average, 19 runs scored, 30 hits, four doubles, six home runs, 25 RBI, and 16 walks.
GARDNER-WEBB (2023-25)
- Ligotti made 65 appearances over three years with Gardner-Webb, grabbing her first collegiate hit in a win over Detroit Mercy and her first two RBI in a victory against N.C. Central as a freshman.
- Bella’s most productive season in Boiling Springs was her sophomore round, batting .273 over that span with five extra-base swings and a .606 slugging percentage. The Runnin’ Bulldogs won 33 games as a unit, including a 7-4 triumph over the Indiana Hoosiers.
- In 2024, she recorded her first home run at the college level versus N.C. Central, going on to post a pair of doubles and three runs-batted-in during a W against Wofford.
- Ligotti produced her best individual game as a junior in 2025, a victory over Iona where she left the yard twice and stacked up five RBI. She hit her final collegiate longball at Western Carolina that year.
PREP CAREER
- A native of Hollywood, Florida, Bella attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School and was an All-State selection during her senior campaign.
- She batted .316 throughout her prep tenure (.323 as a senior), totaling 17 RBI and 24 runs scored along with a .414 on-base clip. Ligotti also made the Honor Roll in each of her last three seasons.
EDUCATION
- Bella received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Nova Southeastern University four months ago, graduating with a minor in Exercise Science.
- During her playing career, she also helped coach at the American Heritage Softball Camp in Plantation, Florida.
