Brittini Merchant is in her second season at Davenport University. She was a major part of the Panthers finishing 49-10 in 2017 and establishing a record for wins in program history.
Merchant serves as an assistant coach with the Panthers after prior stints at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and Northwestern University. Merchant served as assistant coach at SIUE during the 2016 season and the Cougars finished 28-26 as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.
Merchant served as a volunteer assistant at Northwestern during the 2015 season and saw the team receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Division I Tournament.
A two-time, All-Mid-America Conference selection at Central Michigan from 2008-11, Merchant started all 186 games the Chippewas played during her tenure. As a senior, Merchant hit .325 with a team-best 12 doubles while starting every game at second base. She ranked 15th in the nation that year by striking out just once for every 23.3 at-bats.
Immediately upon graduation, Brittini became a volunteer assistant coach at Minnesota for the 2012 season, where her sister, Jessica Merchant, was an assistant. The Golden Gophers went 31-22 with both Merchants on staff.
After leaving Minnesota, Merchant became an instructor at Elite Baseball and Softball in Grand Rapids, Mich., before leaving coaching to take a Supervisor position with General Motors in Toledo, Ohio. The move caused Merchant to realize her passion lived in coaching softball, leading her to return to the game in Evanston.
A native of Wayland, Mich., Merchant is one of three sisters, all of whom played collegiate softball. In 2007, Merchant was named Miss Softball for the state of Michigan at her position.
"Brittini's softball knowledge and experience make her an excellent addition to our coaching staff. She has a great passion for the game and will bring lots of energy to the program," said Salmon.
