Kichler, a 2012 Delaware Valley University graduate, was hired in January, 2017 to take over as head coach of her alma mater.
Kichler's first year as coach saw the Aggies win nine games, place two players on the all-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom team, and have seven players earn spots on the conference's academic honor roll.
Kichler was a pitcher for DelVal from 2009 to 2011 and recorded 10 wins, 110 strikeouts and a 3.60 earned run average (ERA) in 208 innings of work. As a freshman, she helped the Aggies qualify for the Freedom Conference playoffs as she pitched in 19 games (14 starts) and went 5-6 with a 3.17 ERA. She started the first game of the double-elimination tournament and gave up two earned runs in four-plus innings, en route to a non-decision in the loss.
Kichler started 11 of the 14 games she pitched in during the 2010 season and won four games with a career-high 42 strikeouts and a 3.75 ERA. She followed the next year with 14 appearances (nine starts), one win, 34 Ks and a 4.07 ERA.
After graduating from DelVal with a bachelor of science degree in business administration (sports management concentration), Kichler became an assistant coach and pitching coach at Division II West Chester University. The Rams produced three of the greatest seasons in program history as they notched a 119-59 record and reached the NCAA playoffs each year.
The run began in 2013 when West Chester went 37-21 and reached the NCAA Division II Super Regionals for the first time in school history. The Rams’ staff received the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s (NFCA) Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year award.
In 2014, Kichler and West Chester posted a 42-22 record, captured both the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division title and the NCAA Super Regionals, and reached the NCAA Division II national championships for the first time. They repeated as the NFCA Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Rams reached the 40-win mark again in 2015 as they finished 40-16 with a PSAC Eastern Division crown and another berth in the NCAA tournament. Kichler recruited and coached the 2015 PSAC Freshman of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.
Following her three-year run with West Chester, Kichler was the director of softball at Maplezone Sports Institute for one year. She has also served as an independent softball coach and consultant.
