Jenni Gardner - Head Varsity Coach
Playing:
Coach Gardner was a four year starter at Cardington High School, earning All-District Honors her junior and senior year as well as being named to 1st Team MOAC three years. Coach Gardner was a three year starter at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, playing both shortstop and centerfield. During her collegiate career, she amassed numerous awards including American Mideast Conference Honorable Mention (2002), NCCAA All-American Second Team (2002), NCCAA East Region Team (2002, 2003), American Mideast Conference All-Academic Team (2002, 2003), NCCAA Academic All-American (2002, 2003), NAIA Academic All-American (2002, 2003), Verizon Academic All-District IV First and Second Team (2002 & 2003), and Academic All-American Third Team (2002).
Coaching:
Coach Gardner returns to lead the Spartans after coaching in the program from 2004-2012, including seven years as the head varsity coach. During that time, she led the Spartans to four District Tournament appearances (2006, 2007, 2011, 2012), three MOAC Championships (2006, 2009, 2010), and an 83-49 record.
Personal:
Coach Gardner has taught English at Pleasant High School since graduation from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in 2003. She is married to her husband, Cory Gardner, and they are the proud parents of two girls, Jaina and Camryn.
Coach Gardner was a four year starter at Cardington High School, earning All-District Honors her junior and senior year as well as being named to 1st Team MOAC three years. Coach Gardner was a three year starter at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, playing both shortstop and centerfield. During her collegiate career, she amassed numerous awards including American Mideast Conference Honorable Mention (2002), NCCAA All-American Second Team (2002), NCCAA East Region Team (2002, 2003), American Mideast Conference All-Academic Team (2002, 2003), NCCAA Academic All-American (2002, 2003), NAIA Academic All-American (2002, 2003), Verizon Academic All-District IV First and Second Team (2002 & 2003), and Academic All-American Third Team (2002).
Coaching:
Coach Gardner returns to lead the Spartans after coaching in the program from 2004-2012, including seven years as the head varsity coach. During that time, she led the Spartans to four District Tournament appearances (2006, 2007, 2011, 2012), three MOAC Championships (2006, 2009, 2010), and an 83-49 record.
Personal:
Coach Gardner has taught English at Pleasant High School since graduation from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in 2003. She is married to her husband, Cory Gardner, and they are the proud parents of two girls, Jaina and Camryn.
Bryan Decker - Varsity Assistant Coach
Coaching:
Coach Decker has served 10 years in the Pleasant Softball Program including three years as the head varsity coach (2013-2015). He has also served as a softball coach in the the county league, summer league, and travel league with the Marion Diamonds organization.
Personal:
Coach Decker has taught 6th grade in the Pleasant Local School District for the past 13 years, concentrating in the areas of Social Studies, Language Arts, and Reading. Coach Decker is married to his wife, Amy, and they are the proud parents of three children - Allison, Gizzy, and Drew.
Coach Decker has served 10 years in the Pleasant Softball Program including three years as the head varsity coach (2013-2015). He has also served as a softball coach in the the county league, summer league, and travel league with the Marion Diamonds organization.
Personal:
Coach Decker has taught 6th grade in the Pleasant Local School District for the past 13 years, concentrating in the areas of Social Studies, Language Arts, and Reading. Coach Decker is married to his wife, Amy, and they are the proud parents of three children - Allison, Gizzy, and Drew.
Hannah Wilson - Varsity Assistant Coach
Playing:
Coach Wilson was a four year varsity starter at Pleasant High School. During that time she earned 1st Team All-District and All-Conference honors. Coach Wilson furthered her academic and softball careers at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. As a utility player, most of her playing time was spent in center field. During her career, she accrued multiple athletic awards including Crossroads League 1st Team (2014, 2015, 2016), NCCAA East Region Team (2013 & 2014), NFCA NAIA 1st Team Great Lakes All-Region (2016), NFCA NAIA 2nd Team Midwest All-Region (2015), CoSIDA 1st Team Academic All-District (2015 & 2016), Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete (2015 & 2016).
Coaching:
Coach Wilson is entering her first season assisting the PHS Softball Team. Previously, she has volunteered with local youth softball programs and clinics.
Personal:
Coach Wilson is currently a Math Tutor and substitute teacher in Marion County. Outside of coaching and teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Reed, and their dog, Gordy.
Coach Wilson was a four year varsity starter at Pleasant High School. During that time she earned 1st Team All-District and All-Conference honors. Coach Wilson furthered her academic and softball careers at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. As a utility player, most of her playing time was spent in center field. During her career, she accrued multiple athletic awards including Crossroads League 1st Team (2014, 2015, 2016), NCCAA East Region Team (2013 & 2014), NFCA NAIA 1st Team Great Lakes All-Region (2016), NFCA NAIA 2nd Team Midwest All-Region (2015), CoSIDA 1st Team Academic All-District (2015 & 2016), Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete (2015 & 2016).
Coaching:
Coach Wilson is entering her first season assisting the PHS Softball Team. Previously, she has volunteered with local youth softball programs and clinics.
Personal:
Coach Wilson is currently a Math Tutor and substitute teacher in Marion County. Outside of coaching and teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Reed, and their dog, Gordy.
ALLISON DECKER - Junior Varsity Coach
Playing:
Coach Decker played four years of softball, three years at the varsity level, at Pleasant High school as a third baseman, where she received defensive awards. During high school summers, she played for the Marion Diamonds Organization.
Coaching:
After graduating, Coach Decker returned to coaching in the spring of 2016 as a Varsity Assistant Coach (2016-2017). She was also an assistant coach for Pleasant High School Girls Soccer for a year.
Personal:
Coach Decker is currently the EMS Coordinator and ED Paramedic at Grady Memorial Hospital, as well as a Firefighter/Paramedic at Fort Morrow Fire Department in Waldo. She is extremely excited to return to the softball field with her father. Outside of coaching and working, Coach Decker enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Chris, their son, Jase, and their two dogs, Ashes and Ember.
Coach Decker played four years of softball, three years at the varsity level, at Pleasant High school as a third baseman, where she received defensive awards. During high school summers, she played for the Marion Diamonds Organization.
Coaching:
After graduating, Coach Decker returned to coaching in the spring of 2016 as a Varsity Assistant Coach (2016-2017). She was also an assistant coach for Pleasant High School Girls Soccer for a year.
Personal:
Coach Decker is currently the EMS Coordinator and ED Paramedic at Grady Memorial Hospital, as well as a Firefighter/Paramedic at Fort Morrow Fire Department in Waldo. She is extremely excited to return to the softball field with her father. Outside of coaching and working, Coach Decker enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Chris, their son, Jase, and their two dogs, Ashes and Ember.