Last season, Sutcliffe mentored freshman pitcher Jessica Simpson to a 24-12 record and a 2.17 ERA. Simpson earned Second Team All-MAC honors and was the MVP of the 2009 MAC Tournament with a 4-0 record and 0.50 ERA. Miami pitchers finished third in the MAC with a 2.37 ERA and held the conference opponents to a .247 batting average.

In 2008, Sutcliffe helped lead a pitching staff that saw sophomore Meredith Linch receive Second-Team All-MAC honors for the second consecutive season. Miami pitchers were third in the conference with a 2.03 ERA and held MAC opponents to a .234 batting average.

In 2007, Sutcliffe mentored a RedHawk pitching staff that included two freshman standouts in Second-Team All-MAC honoree Meredith Linch and MAC All-Freshman nominee Shalise Lugo. Linch was named MAC East Pitcher of the Week three times in her rookie campaign. The RedHawk hurlers finished with the second-lowest MAC ERA at 1.48 and limited conference opponents to a .222 batting average.

In her first season as an assistant in 2006, Sutcliffe's staff of pitchers included Courtney Salmon, who ranks second all-time on the Miami career strikeouts list and ended `06 with 125 K's. She also mentored Kelly Cabana, who finished the season ranked among the top ten in the Mid-American Conference in numerous pitching categories. For the season, Cabana tied for second in appearances (40), tied for fifth in games started (25), tied for sixth in saves (2) and tied for eighth in complete games (15). In MAC-only games, Cabana finished the season ranked second in appearances (19) and in complete games (12).

Sutcliffe has been married to her partner Diane since October 2004 and lives in Trenton.

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Amanda Buchholz

Assistant Coach

Joining the staff this year is assistant coach Amanda Buchholz. The former Nebraska star comes to the RedHawks after spending the past six years as a volunteer assistant at her alma mater. She will work with infielders and outfielders at Miami.

Buchholz was the starting shortstop for the Huskers from 2000-03, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors, as well as All-Academic Big 12 honors. She led Nebraska to the 2002 College World Series, being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Iowa City Regional. She concluded her playing career in the National Pro Fastpitch League, playing for the Texas Thunder in 2004.

After finishing her playing career, she immediately joined the Huskers' coaching staff on a volunteer basis, working with the team's infielders. She regularly put in 40-plus hour weeks despite also holding a job working for a construction agency in the Lincoln area.

"I am extremely happy to become part of the Miami University and RedHawk family," said Buchholz. "The determination of everyone to create a Culture of Champions and the commitment to excel on the field, in the classroom and in life is what makes this university so special. Miami softball is doing some great things and is climbing the ladder of national prominence. It is an amazing opportunity and I'm excited to be a part of it!"

Nebraska head coach Rhonda Revelle believes the RedHawks have gained a winner in Buchholz. "I truly believe that Amanda is a rising star in the coaching ranks," said Revelle. "She is intelligent, dedicated, loyal, passionate, committed to the game and to teaching young people. She is an energetic, attention-to-detail type person that anyone would love to have as a member of their `team'. She is a great teacher, coach and mentor. Most of all, Amanda is wonderful and caring person whom I am confident will be an outstanding addition to the Miami family."

Buchholz currently lives in Hamilton.