A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you. - Bob Proctor.
Abby Hanrahan, Director
In October 2016, Abby Hanrahan launched Practice Pro Pitching School with Sarah Dec as her assistant coach. What started with just 50 students from 10 local house and travel programs has grown into a thriving program with over 200 students across four locations. Today, Abby and her dedicated staff instruct more than 1,000 pitchers annually through pitching schools and clinics, making Practice Pro a cornerstone of pitching development in the area.
Abby brings a wealth of experience and accolades to the table. As a player, she reached the pinnacle of success, winning the NCAA Division III National Championship with Ithaca College in 2002, where she was named NCAA Championship Tournament MVP. Over her collegiate career, her team qualified for the NCAA Championships every year, and Abby set the school strikeout record with 576—a record that still stands today. She was a two-time first-team all-conference and all-region player, earned induction into the Ithaca College Hall of Fame in 2019, and was honored with the Trinity High School Distinguished Alumnae Award in 2020.
With over 15 years of playing experience and more than a decade of coaching expertise, Abby became a full-time professional instructor in 2015. Her coaching style is hands-on and goal-driven—you can expect Abby to pitch alongside you during lessons and hold you accountable every step of the way. A relentless goal-setter herself, Abby has a running ambition to break 20 minutes in a 5K (progress ongoing...slowly) and to finally best her brother in golf again after coming within two strokes of breaking 80.
Abby’s coaching philosophy emphasizes aggression, discipline, and a healthy dose of humor—because while she’s serious about helping her students excel, she also believes softball should be fun. As a National Fastpitch Coaches Association Endorsed Pitching Coach, Abby is dedicated to developing the mental toughness and technical precision her pitchers need to thrive.
Curious to learn more about how Practice Pro got started? Read the full story here!
Erica Hanrahan, Head Instructor, Practice Pro University
Erica Hanrahan is a coaching powerhouse and the longest-tenured coach in DePauw University softball history. Over her 12-season career, she led the Tigers to an impressive 329-184-1 record. Under her guidance, DePauw made nine NCAA Division III postseason appearances, including an extraordinary eight-season streak from 2014 to 2022. Her teams thrived on the national stage, tying for third in 2021 and fifth in 2015. The 2021 Tigers set a new standard of excellence with 40 wins, matching the program’s all-time best from 2008 and 2010.
Within the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), Hanrahan's dominance was undeniable. She directed DePauw to a staggering 148-20 conference record, earning nine regular-season titles and seven tournament championships. Her outstanding leadership was recognized with three NCAC Coach of the Year awards, as well as NCAC Staff of the Year honors. In both 2015 and 2021, Hanrahan and her team received National Fastpitch Coaches Association Regional Coaching Staff of the Year accolades, cementing their reputation as one of the top programs in the country.
Now, Hanrahan brings her unparalleled expertise to Practice Pro as the head of Practice Pro University. With her extensive experience and passion for the game, she is dedicated to delivering university-level instruction across all aspects of softball, helping athletes and coaches reach the next level.
Read one of Erica’s Blog’s Here!
Emily Tucci, Head Pitching Instructor
Emily Tucci is on a mission to create lasting connections with her players, empowering young athletes to take ownership of their softball journeys. Her goal is to ensure that every athlete who steps into a lesson feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow both on and off the field.
Emily’s coaching career began as a pitching instructor with the Schaumburg Sluggers, where she spent four years developing talent and even coached the 14U team for a season. Her coaching philosophy centers around developing well-rounded athletes—encouraging players to try new positions to enhance their softball IQ and agility. Emily constantly seeks fresh perspectives and innovative techniques to connect with her players. Above all, she believes that attitude is the cornerstone of greatness.
Emily’s own softball journey began at age 8 with the Roselle Rampage organization, later continuing with the Schaumburg Sluggers until college. At Oberlin College, Emily emerged as a standout leader, serving as team captain for three years and earning numerous accolades, including:
2018 All-NCAC Honors
2019 NCAC Athlete of the Week
2021 NCAC Pitcher of the Week
2021 NCAC Scholar Athlete Award
To Emily, softball is far more than just a sport—it’s a life-shaping experience filled with lessons, challenges, and relationships that leave a lasting impact. She passionately reminds her players: “The game knows! Respect it.”
Nancy Findeisen, Head Pitching Instructor
Nancy joined the Practice Pro team at the start of the 2019 Offseason session, reconnecting with Abby Hanrahan in the most unexpected way—on the field at a summer slow-pitch softball tournament. It was only after their teams faced off that they realized they had a shared history: their Division III teams had gone head-to-head 17 years earlier in the 2002 World Series. Their paths crossing again felt like fate—Nancy wanted to get back into pitching, and Abby was looking for another expert to join the Practice Pro staff. The rest is history!
A legend at Lake Forest College, Nancy Findeisen remains one of the most dominant pitchers in program history. She still holds the school record with an incredible 1.20 career ERA. Her remarkable 2002 season saw her lead the Foresters to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division III Tournament, a feat that earned the team induction into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2012. Nancy set single-season records that year with 19 wins, 10 shutouts, and a jaw-dropping 0.75 ERA. She also struck out 156 batters in 158 innings—a program record—and became Lake Forest’s first-ever All-American.
Nancy’s incredible postseason run that year included a no-hitter, and she earned spots on the NCAA Regional and National All-Tournament Teams. Her performance solidified her place as one of the greatest pitchers in Lake Forest history and a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.
With her unparalleled expertise, competitive spirit, and love for the game, Nancy has been a powerhouse addition to the Practice Pro coaching team, inspiring pitchers to reach new heights and chase their own softball dreams.
Katie Griggs, Head Pitching Instructor
Katie Griggs embodies the belief that it’s never too late to learn. Having taught herself pitching through trial and error and by observing others, she didn’t receive formal lessons until high school. This unconventional journey shaped her coaching philosophy: players should always find joy in the game, embrace challenges, and take away something positive from every experience. After all, giving your best effort is the ultimate win.
Katie’s journey with Practice Pro began as a student, training under Abby Hanrahan. Her dedication and passion for the game didn’t go unnoticed. When Katie reached college, Abby invited her to join the team as an assistant coach, mentoring her every step of the way. After more than three years of learning and growing in this role, Katie will take on the role of lead instructor in the spring of 2023—a testament to her hard work and love for coaching.
A multi-sport standout at DePaul College Prep, Katie excelled in softball (playing varsity for all four years), volleyball, and bowling. On the diamond, she notched two no-hitters, a perfect game, and a stellar high school batting average of .450. Her leadership earned her the varsity team captaincy for two years, the school’s Coach’s Award three times, and a lifetime achievement award from Gompers Park for over a decade of playing softball there.
Currently studying physics and mathematics at DePaul University, Katie applies her academic insights to the art of pitching, breaking down the mechanics and movements with a scientific precision that helps players elevate their game.
Katie’s first softball role model was Cat Osterman, whose methodical approach and emphasis on spin over speed left a lasting impression. With her own Cat glove in hand, Katie grew up inspired by Cat’s mastery of the game, and now she’s passing that same inspiration on to the next generation of athletes at Practice Pro.
Jenna Gohmann, Head Pitching Instructor
Jenna Gohman has been an integral part of the Practice Pro coaching team since 2021, bringing a full-circle journey from student to standout coach. A former Practice Pro student herself, Jenna honed her skills playing for various travel ball teams before shining at Lincoln Park High School, where she excelled as a catcher and third baseman. It was during high school that she discovered her passion for catching, a skill she carried to the collegiate level at Dominican University in River Forest.
Jenna’s coaching expertise is a perfect blend of technical knowledge and hands-on experience. Under the guidance of Abby Hanrahan, she mastered the art of teaching pitching, adding a unique perspective as a former catcher. Her ability to teach pitching from a catcher’s viewpoint is an invaluable asset, providing pitchers with a comprehensive understanding of the game.
Beyond her technical skills, Jenna’s ability to connect with players on a personal level sets her apart. She has a natural talent for motivating young athletes to push beyond their limits and achieve their full potential. Jenna’s passion for the game and her dedication to her players make her an outstanding member of the Practice Pro staff!
Sarah Dec, Head Pitching Instructor
Sarah Dec has been a cornerstone of Practice Pro since its inception in October 2016. With a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science, Sarah combines her academic expertise with her passion for softball to create a transformative experience for her athletes. She is deeply committed to teaching young players the value of a strong work ethic—a lesson instilled in her by two of her greatest mentors: her strength and conditioning coach and her former pitching coach.
Sarah’s mission is to channel the knowledge and experiences she’s gained throughout her career to inspire and empower her athletes to reach their fullest potential.
A standout athlete herself, Sarah played two years of collegiate softball—one year at Upper Iowa University and another at Concordia University Chicago. In high school, she was a powerhouse at Guerin Prep, leading her team to Illinois’ Elite 8 and setting every pitching record in the school’s history. Sarah played varsity all four years and earned All-Conference and MVP honors three times. Her senior year was a crowning achievement, as she was named Conference Player of the Year and Senior Athlete of the Year.
Having pitched since the age of 10 under the guidance of John Hanrahan, Sarah’s softball journey includes playing for elite travel teams like the Schaumburg Sluggers and the Oak Park Windmills. Throughout her career, she found inspiration in Paul Konerko—a natural-born leader whose humility and dedication led his team to a World Series victory while always remembering those who helped him along the way.
Sarah’s combination of technical expertise, personal experience, and passion for the game makes her an invaluable part of the Practice Pro coaching team, inspiring the next generation of softball athletes to dream big and work hard.
