Amanda Fefel joined the program in the summer of 2021 and is going into her fourth season with the Greyhounds in 2024-25. Additionally, Fefel serves as the Senior Womans Administrator for the athletics department, taking on the role in Spring 2024.
Fefel eclipsed 100 career wins with the Greyhounds in 2025, leading the team to a 30-25 record and 23-21 Lone Star Conference record. ENMU reached the LSC Postseason Tournament for the third straight year, finishing as the sixth seed. Eastern garnered seven all-conference accolades, five all-region honors and one All-American honor (Aylene Lucero – D2CCA Third Team All-American). The Greyhounds finished in the top-10 statistically in program history for batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, stolen base percentage, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, total bases, walks (program record), and opponent batting average, with the third most wins in a single season.
During the 2024 season, Fefel led the Greyhounds back to the postseason with a 26-26 overall record, reaching the quarterfinals of the LSC Postseason Tournament. Under Fefel's guidance, six different individuals received all-conference accolades, totaling seven LSC honors (Alondra Vasquez, Samantha Gutierrez, and Taighen Whitzel - First team, Mikenzey Patterson - Second Team, Marissa Rodriguez and Cecy Jurado - Third Team, Alondra Vasquez - LSC Gold Glove). Samantha Gutierrez went on to earn all-region recognition from the NFCA and D2CCA, while Taighen Whitzel was recognized to the 2024 TUCCI/NFCA Player and Pitcher of the Year Watchlist. ENMU earned three weekly honors during the year, including a season highlighted by a pair of top-25 wins. Eastern earned the programs first ever victory over Lubbock Christian and UT Tyler, while winning a series with Oklahoma Christian in program history. ENMU finished in the top-10 statistically in program history for batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, stolen base percentage, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, total bases, walks, ERA, and opponent batting average.
The 2023 season showcased vast improvements for the softball program as the Greyhounds won its most games (26) since 2008 when ENMU totaled 28. The team advanced to the Lone Star Conference postseason tournament for the first time since 2002 and earned a postseason win for the first time since 2001. Four Hounds were named all-conference – Mikenzey Patterson (second team), Brook Leger (third team), Ashley Nickerson (third team), and Alondra Vasquez (third team). Patterson also earned second team NFCA all-region honors. Kianna Galindo, Taylor Harrison, Brook Leger, and Aylene Lucero were tabbed to the College Sports Communicators All-District team for their efforts in the classroom and on the field.
Statistically, ENMU set several high marks, including breaking the record for most walks (170) and games played (56) in a single season. The team finished second in program history in fielding percentage (.963) and innings pitched (371.1). Other notable rankings for Eastern New Mexico single season school records during Fefel’s second year include: doubles (3rd – 83), opponent batting average (3rd - .269), sacrifice hits (5th – 46), strikeouts (250), fewest errors (5th – 60), ERA (6th – 3.71), wins (6th – 26), and shutouts (6th – 5).
During her first season, Fefel led the Greyhounds to a 18-30 record finishing just outside of the LSC Postseason Tournament. Fefel oversaw the development of the team after not having a complete season in two years. The campaign was highlighted with a 8-5 win over #23 Texas A&M-Commerce, the first win over the Lions in five years. Additionally, Fefel guided Lisette Urquidez and Brook Leger to all-conference recognition, with Urquidez being named to the LSC All-Freshman team and Leger garnering All-Academic Team honors.
Fefel arrived after two seasons as an Assistant Softball Coach and Pitching Coach at NCAA Division I Appalachian State University, in Boone N.C. While with the Mountaineers, Fefel helped guide a pitching staff that held a 3.27 ERA in 2021 and a 2.77 ERA during a shortened 2020 season. Under the guidance of Fefel, the Mountaineer pitching staff posted top five finishes in the Sun Belt Conference in lowest ERA (3.27), most staff wins (27), and least runs allowed (173). Individually, Fefel led pitcher Kenzie Longanecker to a place on the Second Team All-Sun Belt squad.
Prior to Appalachian State, Fefel was the Head Softball Coach at NJCAA Division I program Clarendon College, in Clarendon, Texas. In five seasons with the Bulldogs, she amassed a record of 183-95, with her final two seasons gaining national recognition in the national top 25 rankings. During that time, Fefel coached two student-athletes to the NJCAA All-American list, along with 12 All-Conference team selections and 11 student-athletes chosen to the All-Region V team.
Fefel joined Clarendon after three seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Coppin State University, in Baltimore, Md. In her role at Coppin, Fefel oversaw the yearly budget, ran practice and managed game day operations. Fefel also served in roles as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor, Women’s Sports Counselor, and Community Outreach Organizer.
During her time at Coppin and Clarendon, Fefel also worked as a softball instructor and evaluator for Softball Factory. In that position, she conducted player development camps for USA/ASA Softball and Under Amour National Teams, along with developing training plans.
Fefel gained their first taste of coaching as a volunteer assistant softball coach at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Fefel spent one year in the position organizing training sessions, developing hitters and outfielders, and assisting in fundraising efforts for the softball program.
As an undergrad, she was a standout softball student-athlete at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). During her four-year career, Fefel collected four America East First Team All-Conference selections, UMBC Female Athlete of the Year (2008-09), UMBC Senior Athlete of the Year (2009-10), and team MVP awards in 2009 and 2010. In the classroom, Fefel garnered America East All-Academic Team honors in all four seasons. Fefel was inducted into the UMBC Athletics Hall of Fame in Fall 2024.
Fefel earned a bachelor’s degree in sports marketing, media, and communications from UMBC in 2010. Fefel continued her education at the University of Baltimore & Coppin State University obtaining a master’s degree in human service administration- counseling in 2015.