THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran Athletics has named Lindsay Gardner as its new head softball coach, bringing an accomplished collegiate coach, former USA National Team athlete, and University of Texas Athletics Hall of Honor inductee to Thousand Oaks.

Gardner brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to the Regals, along with a decorated playing career that included time with the USA National Softball Team and five seasons as a professional athlete in National Pro Fastpitch.

"I am incredibly honored and thrilled to lead the Regals softball program," said Gardner. "Cal Lutheran is a prestigious university with so much to offer student-athletes, and I am excited to join a program that values academics as much as it does elite competition."

Gardner most recently served as an assistant coach with Shalhevet High School Baseball, helping guide the program to a League Championship in 2026 after a third-place finish the previous season. There, she developed practice plans, delegated responsibilities among the coaching staff and worked with athletes on both the technical and mental aspects of the game.

Prior to that, Gardner spent five seasons as the head softball coach at St. Edward's University from 2011-16 after previously serving as an assistant coach with the program from 2006-08. As head coach, she oversaw all aspects of the program, including recruiting, academic progress, fundraising, NCAA compliance and staff development while creating an environment centered on accountability, leadership and student-athlete growth.

Gardner has also spent the past decade developing athletes through her athletic consulting company, Just Dig In, which she founded in 2016. Through the company, she provides hitting instruction and video analysis to collegiate, high school and professional athletes, with an emphasis on building confident and disciplined approaches at the plate.

Her professional coaching experience includes a stint as a hitting coach and consultant for the Kentucky Wild Health Genomes of the Atlantic League in 2022. Gardner worked with professional hitters on mindset and run production while utilizing Rapsodo data and video analysis to help athletes improve consistency, power and performance.

Gardner's coaching background is complemented by an impressive playing career at the University of Texas. A 2022 inductee into the University of Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, Gardner was a three-time Big 12 All-Conference and Tournament Team selection and earned Easton and Daktronics All-American and All-Region honors. She helped the Longhorns finish third at the 2003 Women's College World Series and was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Following her collegiate career, Gardner competed internationally as a member of the USA National Softball Team in 2001 and 2002. She then spent five seasons in National Pro Fastpitch from 2004-08, earning three All-Star selections, Defensive Player of the Year honors at second base in 2004 and a Home Run Derby championship in 2008.

Beyond the field, Gardner has emphasized community engagement throughout her coaching career. She has organized youth appreciation events and service initiatives with organizations including Habitat for Humanity and regional food banks, using athletics as a way to develop leadership, teamwork and a commitment to serving others. She is also the author and illustrator of the children's book Just Dig In and Believe, published in 2025.

Gardner earned her bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin.

"I cannot wait to bring my passion and love for the game to this talented, hungry group of players as we build a championship culture on the dirt," said Gardner. "I want to extend my deepest thanks to [Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator] Katie Bell, [Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics] Elizabeth Brooks, the search committee, and the players who led the way throughout this process. I am truly honored to work alongside you all and to officially call CLU home."

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Gardner to our staff and excited to watch her lead our softball program into its next chapter," said Brooks. "She has a proven NCAA track record, both as a head coach and as a former athlete, and throughout the search process she stood out for her vision, positive attitude, and commitment to the academic and personal growth of our students."