FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason University Head Softball Coach Justin Walker  has elevated Desiree Ybarra to assistant coach for the Patriot's softball program.  
 
Ybarra joined the George Mason Softball staff in February 2021 for her first season with the Green & Gold as a volunteer assistant coach, working with the pitchers and catchers in the 2021 season.
 
"We are excited to promote Desiree from our volunteer coach to our full-time pitching coach," Walker said. "Desiree will have an immediate impact on our pitchers and will help develop them on and off the field."

Prior to her time in Fairfax, Va., the former Cal State Fullerton standout spent two seasons at Bradley University, serving as the Braves' pitching coach (2019-20).

A California native, Ybarra spent the 2018 season as an assistant coach at Rhodes College, helping the Lynx to their first conference tournament championship appearance in program history.
 
"I am excited to be joining the Mason coaching staff as the pitching coach," Ybarra said. "I can't wait to get to work with this team and alongside this coaching staff."

Ybarra played professionally in both Australia and Italy in 2016 and 2017 after graduating from Cal State Fullerton in 2016.  She pitched for the Venezuelan National Team at both the 2018 Central American Caribbean Games and 2018 Women's Softball World Championship in addition to the 2019 Pan Am Games. Ybarra also represented Venezuela at the Americas Softball Qualifier in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada in August 2019. 
 
The lefty pitcher was the 2016 Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-West Region First Team pick as a senior.  Ybarra was a two-time all-region performer during her time with the Titans.  She was 16-7 in the circle in her final collegiate season in 2016, ranking 38th in the nation with a 1.82 ERA.