ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – College of Saint Benedict softball coach Rachael Click filled a void in her coaching staff recently – and helped fill a void for up-and-coming softball players in the St. Cloud area.
 
This summer, Click announced that former teammate and Tincher Certified instructor Callie Nelsen will join the staff as the team's pitching coach starting in the 2019-20 season. Nelsen, a Willmar native, returns to Minnesota after spending three years in Nashville, Tenn.
 
"This is a big deal for the program, and a very big deal for the growth and development of pitchers in the St. Cloud area," Click said. "I am always getting asked if I have someone I can recommend to help with pitchers in the area, and have struggled for seven years to find someone. We're excited to get Callie here."
 
While in Nashville, Nelsen was the Assistant General Manager at Showtime Sports academy, where she oversaw the softball, started a travel softball program and gave private pitching lessons. In March 2019, she became certified in the Tincher Pitching Development Systems, and will be the first Tincher Certified instructor in Minnesota. Tincher Pitching is an organization that trains instructors to work with pitchers not only on their technique and different pitches, but also injuries, strength training and mental toughness.
 
Prior to moving to Nashville, Nelsen taught fourth grade in Lake Crystal, Minn., as well as giving private pitching lessons and running clinics. She also served as the president of the Lake Crystal Fastpitch Association.
 
Nelsen graduated from Gustavus in 2010 with a degree in elementary education. She played softball for four years, and was teammates with Click from 2007-09. In 2009, Nelsen was part of the Gustie squad that finished third at the NCAA Tournament. She finished 12-1 on the mound that year, and earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors.