GC softball coach Kelly Raines surpasses 800 career victories

Amid another successful season for the Galveston College softball program, Whitecaps Head Coach Kelly Raines reached a milestone achieved by only a select group of college softball coaches: 800 career victories.

 

Raines earned her 800th career win on April 8 when the Whitecaps defeated Coastal Bend College, 3-2, in eight innings in Beeville. GC later advanced to the Region 14 Tournament and finished the season with an overall record of 39-17, giving Raines 810 career victories.

 

"I didn't realize it at first, but I'm grateful to have reached such an incredible milestone," said Raines, who began her first season at Galveston College in 2022. "I couldn't have achieved this milestone without my coaching staff and all the amazing players I have coached over the years who made it possible for me to win more than 800 games as a college softball coach."

 

The milestone victory came in dramatic fashion. The Whitecaps and Cougars remained scoreless through seven innings before GC broke through with three runs in the top of the eighth inning for a 3-0 lead. CBC responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, but Whitecaps pitcher Jadyn Struxness and the GC defense held off the rally to secure the win.

 

"It was a tough game and it came down to who wanted it more," Raines said. "Nothing comes easy in life, and it's the same in softball. It was an exciting game, especially in what turned out to be the final inning. I'm proud of our team, the coaching staff and what we accomplished this season. It's been a great career so far, and I'm looking forward to several more great seasons at Galveston College."

 

This season, Raines led the Whitecaps to a 15-9 record in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Region 14 South Conference and a three-way tie for second place in conference standings, earning the program the No. 4 seed in the regional tournament.

 

The season included several highlights for the Whitecaps, including a 17-game winning streak, a Top 20 national ranking during the first half of the season and the program's second-highest win total during Raines' five seasons at GC. The regional tournament appearance also marked the Whitecaps' fourth consecutive postseason appearance since 2023.

 

Since joining GC as head softball coach and athletic director in January 2022, Raines has compiled a 174-79 overall record. During her tenure, the Whitecaps have won three conference championships, one regional title and advanced to the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament in 2024, where GC placed fifth nationally and finished the season ranked No. 5 in the nation.

 

Before joining the Whitecaps, Raines served as head softball coach at Howard College in Big Spring from 2005-2021. While at Howard, the Hawks recorded at least 30 wins in 16 seasons. Raines led Howard to nine conference championships and seven regional titles, including five consecutive regional championships from 2015-2019. Howard also placed fourth at the national tournament in 2015.

 

Raines began her collegiate head coaching career at her alma mater, Lindenwood University, where she coached for two seasons. Prior to becoming a head coach, she spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Midland College, helping lead the program to two conference championships, two regional titles and a fourth-place finish at the national tournament.

 

Raines was named NJCAA Division I Region 14 Mid-South A District Coach of the Year in 2024. She is also an eight-time Western Junior College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and a three-time recipient of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Staff of the Year award.

 

As a player at Pensacola Junior College and Lindenwood University, Raines earned All-American, All-Region and All-Conference honors.

 

For more information about the Galveston College Whitecaps softball program, including rosters and the full season schedule, visit https://www.gcwhitecaps.com/landing/index.