Haylie Brunson is in her first season with Longwood softball after being announced as a graduate assistant coach on July 7, 2025.
Brunson, a 2025 graduate of Penn State, was a .283 career hitter, splitting her four years between Pittsburgh (2022-23) and the Nittany Lions (2024-25).
Brunson, a Mount Pleasant, Pa., native, was named to the 2025 All-Big Ten Second Team, also earning an NFCA third team all-region nod as a senior. She batted .345 with 13 doubles 49 RBIs 13 home runs in her final season, tying for second and fourth, respectively, on Penn State's single-season RBIs and homers lists.
Strong academically, Brunson earned Academic All-Big Ten and CSC Academic All-District honors this past season.
"I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to kickstart my coaching career at Longwood University," Brunson said. "Joining a program with such a proud tradition and unwavering commitment to excellence is truly meaningful. Coach Brown has built a program rooted in strong values, a winning culture and a family-oriented environment where athletes grow not just as players, but as people. I am excited to learn under her leadership and contribute to the continued success of this program."
In her first season in Happy Valley, Brunson helped PSU to its first NCAA regional appearance in 13 seasons with a 35-20 record. She connected for 14 doubles and six home runs, driving in 34 runs. Brunson was named an NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete at season's end for the second time in her career, also earning the honor in 2023 at Pittsburgh.
Brunson spent her first two collegiate seasons with the Panthers, hitting .261 with 13 doubles and five homers. As a sophomore, she batted .294 with six doubles, four homers and 14 walks, getting on base at a .400 clip.
Brunson graduated from Penn State in May with a degree in labor and human resources. Since graduation, she has been a volunteer assistant coach at Division IIIÂ Waynesburg. She is pursuing her MBA at Longwood.
