RMU Athletics announced the hiring of Sara Pelegreen as the head softball coach on July 23, 2026.
Pelegreen returns to Moon Township after serving as head coach at West Liberty University for the past three seasons and rejoins the Colonials after previously serving as an assistant coach from 2020-22.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sara Pelegreen back to Moon Township as the head coach of our softball program," said
Erin Darveau, Associate Director for Business Operations & Senior Woman Administrator. "During her previous time at RMU as an assistant coach, Sara played an instrumental role in guiding our program to multiple Horizon League tournament appearances and a Horizon League Championship game berth. Since then, she has proven herself as an elite head coach building winning cultures, developing championship-caliber talent, and emphasizing academic excellence at every stop. Sara's deep familiarity with RMU softball, combined with her proven track record of postseason success and pitching development, makes her the ideal leader to elevate our program to new heights. We could not be more excited to welcome Coach Pelegreen back to the Colonial family."
Pelegreen spent the last three seasons leading West Liberty, guiding the Hilltoppers to 73 victories and an appearance in the Mountain East Conference Championship game in 2025. During that season, she also earned her 100th career victory as a head coach with a win over her alma mater, West Virginia State.
Under her leadership, West Liberty produced multiple All-MEC selections and an NFCA Division II All-Atlantic Region honoree.
Before taking over at West Liberty, Pelegreen served four seasons as head coach at Wheeling University. She quickly elevated the Cardinals' program, leading the team to consecutive 20-win seasons in 2018 and 2019 while guiding Wheeling to its first-ever Mountain East Conference Championship game appearance in 2018.
Pelegreen first joined the RMU coaching staff in 2020 as an assistant coach, helping guide the Colonials to a 64-51 overall record over two seasons. In 2022, RMU posted a 31-21 record, reached the Horizon League Championship game and recorded the program's first 30-win season in nearly a decade.
Throughout her coaching career, Pelegreen has developed 15 All-MEC performers, including seven First Team All-MEC selections and an NFCA All-Region honoree. Her teams have also excelled in the classroom, highlighted by a program-record 13 NFCA Scholar All-Americans in 2023 at Wheeling.
Pelegreen began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wheeling in 2015 and 2016. During her two seasons on staff, the Cardinals compiled a 55-40 record, including a 35-20 campaign in 2016, the program's best season since its reinstatement in 2002. That year's pitching staff led the Mountain East Conference with 324 strikeouts while setting a program record with eight shutouts.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to Robert Morris and lead this program," Pelegreen said. "RMU has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm thankful to the administration for believing in me throughout this process. After reconnecting with the team, I'm excited about what we can accomplish together. This program already has a strong foundation, and I can't wait to get to work, build relationships and help our student-athletes continue competing for championships while creating a culture they can be proud of."
Pelegreen was a standout pitcher at West Virginia State University from 2009-13. She earned two All-WVIAC selections and Second Team All-Atlantic Region honors in 2012 while compiling a career record of 54-27 with a 2.03 ERA. She still holds the Yellow Jackets' career record for saves (6).
Pelegreen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism from West Virginia State. A native of Ohio, Pelegreen resides with her son, Lincoln.
