The Blaze

Our Team
The unapologetic speed that fuels this team is fire. The Blaze softball team is bold, strong, and sizzles. They are iconically fast and bring heat to the field.

Our Mark
BLAZE STAFF

Dana Sorensen
General Manager

Dana Sorensen
General Manager
A former Stanford pitching standout, Dana Sorensen was a three-time NFCA All-American who played in two College Softball World Series and was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame. While competing in the NPF, she pursued her Master’ Degree in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Sorensen went on to spend three seasons as an assistant coach and Physical Education Instructor at UC Davis in addition to two years as an assistant softball coach at Oregon State. More recently, she returned to her hometown of San Diego to pursue her passion of training and human performance, eventually opening her own pitching instruction and sports performance training business, Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC. In addition to running Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC, Sorensen currently also works alongside Nate Walker and Diamond Solutions to provide pitching data and analytics strategies for collegiate softball programs. A former Stanford pitching standout, Dana Sorensen was a three-time NFCA All-American who played in two College Softball World Series and was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame. While competing in the NPF, she pursued her Master’ Degree in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Sorensen went on to spend three seasons as an assistant coach and Physical Education Instructor at UC Davis in addition to two years as an assistant softball coach at Oregon State. More recently, she returned to her hometown of San Diego to pursue her passion of training and human performance, eventually opening her own pitching instruction and sports performance training business, Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC. In addition to running Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC, Sorensen currently also works alongside Nate Walker and Diamond Solutions to provide pitching data and analytics strategies for collegiate softball programs. A former Stanford pitching standout, Dana Sorensen was a three-time NFCA All-American who played in two College Softball World Series and was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame. While competing in the NPF, she pursued her Master’ Degree in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Sorensen went on to spend three seasons as an assistant coach and Physical Education Instructor at UC Davis in addition to two years as an assistant softball coach at Oregon State. More recently, she returned to her hometown of San Diego to pursue her passion of training and human performance, eventually opening her own pitching instruction and sports performance training business, Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC. In addition to running Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC, Sorensen currently also works alongside Nate Walker and Diamond Solutions to provide pitching data and analytics strategies for collegiate softball programs.

Alisa Goler
Head Coach

Alisa Goler
Head Coach
Entering her fifth season as head softball coach at Western Illinois University, Alisa Goler previously was part of the coaching staff at Penn State, Syracuse, and Roosevelt University in addition to a seven-year competitive career in the NPF, where she was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 and earned two All-NPF Team commendations. A three-time All-American at the University of Georgia, Goler participated in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Women’s College World Series, while setting UGA single-season records for batting average (.455), slugging percentage (.994), on-base percentage (.551), home runs (24), extra-base hits (41), RBI (83), and total bases (164). Goler worked with the USA Elite team this summer, which competed in the Japan Cup Series, and with the USA 18U Junior National Team, which qualified for the 2025 WBSC World Cup.Entering her fifth season as head softball coach at Western Illinois University, Alisa Goler previously was part of the coaching staff at Penn State, Syracuse, and Roosevelt University in addition to a seven-year competitive career in the NPF, where she was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 and earned two All-NPF Team commendations. A three-time All-American at the University of Georgia, Goler participated in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Women’s College World Series, while setting UGA single-season records for batting average (.455), slugging percentage (.994), on-base percentage (.551), home runs (24), extra-base hits (41), RBI (83), and total bases (164). Goler worked with the USA Elite team this summer, which competed in the Japan Cup Series, and with the USA 18U Junior National Team, which qualified for the 2025 WBSC World Cup.Entering her fifth season as head softball coach at Western Illinois University, Alisa Goler previously was part of the coaching staff at Penn State, Syracuse, and Roosevelt University in addition to a seven-year competitive career in the NPF, where she was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 and earned two All-NPF Team commendations. A three-time All-American at the University of Georgia, Goler participated in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Women’s College World Series, while setting UGA single-season records for batting average (.455), slugging percentage (.994), on-base percentage (.551), home runs (24), extra-base hits (41), RBI (83), and total bases (164). Goler worked with the USA Elite team this summer, which competed in the Japan Cup Series, and with the USA 18U Junior National Team, which qualified for the 2025 WBSC World Cup.

Kara Dill
Associate Head Coach

Kara Dill
Associate Head Coach
Kara Dill has been the head coach of the UT Arlington softball program since July 2022. She most recently led UTA to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, with an overall record of 23-24 and a 14-11 record in conference action. She spent six seasons as the pitching coach for Texas A&M and previously coached at Kentucky and LSU. She also has professional experience as the assistant coach with the Scrapyard Dawgs in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League in 2016. Dill was an All-SEC player at Kentucky.Kara Dill has been the head coach of the UT Arlington softball program since July 2022. She most recently led UTA to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, with an overall record of 23-24 and a 14-11 record in conference action. She spent six seasons as the pitching coach for Texas A&M and previously coached at Kentucky and LSU. She also has professional experience as the assistant coach with the Scrapyard Dawgs in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League in 2016. Dill was an All-SEC player at Kentucky.Kara Dill has been the head coach of the UT Arlington softball program since July 2022. She most recently led UTA to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, with an overall record of 23-24 and a 14-11 record in conference action. She spent six seasons as the pitching coach for Texas A&M and previously coached at Kentucky and LSU. She also has professional experience as the assistant coach with the Scrapyard Dawgs in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League in 2016. Dill was an All-SEC player at Kentucky.

Sue Kunkle
Assistant Coach

Sue Kunkle
Assistant Coach
Sue Kunkle is the longtime head coach of the University of Southern Indiana Softball team. The 2025 season is Kunkle’s 24th year leading the program, coaching the Screaming Eagles to the 2018 NCAA II National Championship crown. A three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Kunkle guided the team to the NCAA II Tournament for five straight years. She is USI’s all-time winningest coach, possessing a 674-465-1 (.592) overall record entering 2025. The Screaming Eagles seamlessly transitioned from DII to DI in 2023 and have accrued 46 wins through their first two seasons in Division I and the Ohio Valley Conference under her direction.Sue Kunkle is the longtime head coach of the University of Southern Indiana Softball team. The 2025 season is Kunkle’s 24th year leading the program, coaching the Screaming Eagles to the 2018 NCAA II National Championship crown. A three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Kunkle guided the team to the NCAA II Tournament for five straight years. She is USI’s all-time winningest coach, possessing a 674-465-1 (.592) overall record entering 2025. The Screaming Eagles seamlessly transitioned from DII to DI in 2023 and have accrued 46 wins through their first two seasons in Division I and the Ohio Valley Conference under her direction.Sue Kunkle is the longtime head coach of the University of Southern Indiana Softball team. The 2025 season is Kunkle’s 24th year leading the program, coaching the Screaming Eagles to the 2018 NCAA II National Championship crown. A three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Kunkle guided the team to the NCAA II Tournament for five straight years. She is USI’s all-time winningest coach, possessing a 674-465-1 (.592) overall record entering 2025. The Screaming Eagles seamlessly transitioned from DII to DI in 2023 and have accrued 46 wins through their first two seasons in Division I and the Ohio Valley Conference under her direction.

Ryan Wondrasek
Assistant Coach

Ryan Wondrasek
Assistant Coach
Ryan Wondrasek has worked with Oklahoma Softball for three seasons as the Director of Player Development. He oversees all the data, analytics, and video collected during practice and competition, along with advanced scouting for all opponents. He also assists the coaching staff with recruiting and development of the Sooner catchers. He was previously a head coach at Northwestern, Oklahoma State University, and Seward County Community College.Ryan Wondrasek has worked with Oklahoma Softball for three seasons as the Director of Player Development. He oversees all the data, analytics, and video collected during practice and competition, along with advanced scouting for all opponents. He also assists the coaching staff with recruiting and development of the Sooner catchers. He was previously a head coach at Northwestern, Oklahoma State University, and Seward County Community College.Ryan Wondrasek has worked with Oklahoma Softball for three seasons as the Director of Player Development. He oversees all the data, analytics, and video collected during practice and competition, along with advanced scouting for all opponents. He also assists the coaching staff with recruiting and development of the Sooner catchers. He was previously a head coach at Northwestern, Oklahoma State University, and Seward County Community College.