Boardman’s Rango joins softball staff

By Pete Mollica

The former Bowling Green All-American is looking forward to coaching with the Penguins.

YOUNGSTOWN — Gina Rango was an outstanding softball player in high school and college, but now the North Lima native will turn her focus to coaching as she begins her first season as an assistant with the Youngstown State team.

Rango is a 2003 graduate of Boardman High School and about the same time her classmates were receiving their diplomas she was leading the Spartans to the Division I state championship in Ashland.

“That was quite a feat,” Rango said. “It’s still the only team championship ever won at Boardman High and it is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Individually Rango went on to have an outstanding career at Bowling Green State.

She was a two-time Easton-Bell All-America third-team selection.

She ended her career as the Falcons’ all-time leader in 10 offensive categories, including batting average (.367), home runs (26), RBIs (132), slugging percentage (.568), hits (261) and doubles (51).

She was a four-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection and was the MAC’s player of the year in 2005.

She also was the first Bowling Green player to earn National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region honors more than once and was All-Great Lakes Region first team in both 2005 and 2006.

“I always felt that I had the ability to play Division I college softball, but a two-time All-American, that’s something that I didn’t even dream about,” said Rango.

Since she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 2006, Rango has been working in Florida with her father’s company.

“I came across the YSU job over the Internet and I was interested in the Boardman High School job, but somebody told me that I should apply to YSU for an assistant job,” she said.

“When I got out of college I thought about playing professional softball and I had several opportunities, but I didn’t really think that was what I wanted to do,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to coach.”

Rango didn’t know new YSU coach Brian Campbell, but he had certainly heard about Rango.

“Tiffin University, where I had been coach, is only about 30 or 35 miles from Bowling Green,” Campbell said. “I didn’t know Gina personally, but I certainly knew of her. She is a great addition to this staff.”

Rango’s responsibilities with the Penguins will include working with the outfielders and serving as the team’s hitting instructor.

She will also be coordinating recruiting efforts in the Valley.

Rango is excited about her new job which allows her to do what she really loves.

She also just bought a new car. “The old one died so I didn’t have much choice,” she laughed.

mollica@vindy.com