2026 will mark the 11th season for Niki (Cognigni) Pecora as head coach of the Mountain Cat softball program after being named the head coach in December of 2015 one year following the inaugural season in 2015.
Cognigni-Pecora led Pitt-Johnstown to a program-best 19 victories in 2019. Kristie Radvan and Jade Stubblefield were each named All-PSAC Central Division, while Stubblefield was the PSAC Central Athlete of the Week on March 18. One week later, Radvan earned player of the week honors.
In 2020, the Mountain Cats were 5-5 prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic that canceled the remainder of the season, before finishing the 2021 season at 9-27 overall and 8-22 in the PSAC West.
Pitt-Johnstown boasted a program best 10 PSAC victories in 2023, while Kayla Miehl earned First-Team All-PSAC West honors.
Through eight seasons, Cognigni-Pecora has coached nine All-PSAC performers, including first-team choices Olivia Porter and Miehl.
The Mountain Cats went 13-23 (8-12 PSAC) in 2018, the most wins the team has had in conference in history. Two Mountain Cats earned PSAC Central Player of the Week honors, Morgan Cannin was named Player of the Week March 5 and March 12. Ashely Pagliei was named Pitcher of the Week March 5. The Mountain Cats defeated the Bloomsburg Huskies for the first time in the program back on March 31 and on April 28 the Mountain Cats ended their season with their first sweep over IUP with two walk off wins. Under Cognigni- Pecora Senior Melissa Wagner finished her pitching career with 338 Strikeouts. The Mountain Cats also broke their single season homerun record with 16.
In 2017, Cognigni-Pecora guided Pitt Johnstown to a 15-23 (4-16 PSAC) record, the team's 15 wins are the most in a single season, and helped mentor Morgan Cannin to a second straight PSAC Central selection as an Outfielder. Cannin also was recognized as PSAC Central Play of the Week on March 27 and May 1. The Mountain Cats defeated Lock Haven for the first time in the program back on April 1 and on April 29 Pitt Johnstown defeated IUP for the another first in the program.
Cognigni-Pecora’s first season Pitt Johnstown had their first ever Student Athlete, Morgan Cannin named 2016 PSAC Central Outfielder.
In the summer of 2015, Cognigni-Pecora led a group of collegiate all-stars from across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions to participate in an exhibition doubleheader against the USA Women's Softball National Team.
Cognigni-Pecora, a native of Levittown, PA and a graduate of Pennsbury High School.
Cognigni-Pecora, who graduated from Pitt with a degree in Communication in 2012, started all 202 games at shortstop in her college career. She led the Panthers with 11 multi-hit games during her senior season.
Cognigni-Pecora, her husband Marco, sons Vincenzo and Lucio, and daughter Cecilia reside in the Johnstown area.
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