SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara head softball coach Gina Carbonatto announced the hiring of Kaylee Pond as an assistant coach. 

Pond, who will work primarily on defense and assist with the offense, joins the Broncos having just completed her six-year collegiate playing career across three Power 4 Conference schools overcoming two seasons that were missed due to injuries.

The Lafayette, California native has provided individualized hitting, infield, and outfield lessons locally as well as in Tempe, Arizona utilizing her experience from playing under three Division I coaching staffs. 

In 2026, Pond played her lone season at Arizona State where she garnered All-Big 12 and NFCA All-West Region Second Team recognitions.  The outfielder started in all 63 games and slashed .337/.489/.686.  Thirty-nine of her 59 hits went for extra bases including 15 home runs. 

"We're thrilled to welcome Kaylee to our coaching staff," said Carbonatto.  "Kaylee brings incredible energy, a wealth of softball knowledge, and valuable playing experience that will make an immediate impact on our program.  As a Bay Area native, she understands the competitive softball landscape and the values that make our community special.  We're excited for our student-athletes to learn and grow under her leadership, passion, and commitment to excellence. Welcome to the team, Kaylee!"

Pond played at Cal from 2023-25, starting in all 114 games across two seasons after sitting out the 2023 season due to an injury.  The left-handed hitting Pond batted .300 going 87-for-290 with a .438 on-base and a .490 slugging percentage in two years.  She was the team captain in 2025.

Prior to Cal, Pond spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons at Iowa State.  Following a redshirt year in 2021, she started in 52 of 55 games the next season playing primarily at third base and was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team. 

In her last three seasons on the field, Pond committed just two errors in 235 chances.

"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join Santa Clara and return to the Bay Area," said Pond.  "I'm excited to invest in our student-athletes both on and off the field, contribute to this outstanding staff, and help build a championship culture.  Looking forward to getting to work. Go Broncos!"

Pond will be joining Kat Guevara and Maddi Hackbarth on the coaching staff, with each of them completing their second year on the staff this past season.  

Pond was a three-time CSC Academic All-District, two-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll, a Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll and Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree as she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Cal.  Her bachelor's was in American studies with a concentration in media and popular culture while the master's was in cultural studies of sport and education.  She also earned a certificate in sports media while at Arizona State.

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