BERKELEY - After guiding Tulsa's pitching staff to a top-six ERA ranking last season, Mitch Roberts has been named assistant coach for the California softball team as announced by head coach Chelsea Spencer on Wednesday. 

In 24 games played last season, the Golden Hurricane pitchers boasted the sixth-best ERA in the country at 1.48. Each of the Tulsa starting pitchers finished the campaign with an ERA under 3.00, stifling opposing hitters to a batting average under .200 on the year (.198).  

"It is my honor to welcome Mitch Roberts as the newest member of the Cal Bear family," Spencer said. "His pedigree and experience paired with his ambition to excel himself and his student-athletes, I knew he was the perfect fit for this job. When speaking with him about his philosophy and his knowledge of pitching, I understood that Mitch is far beyond his years. I am confident he will help me guide this program to championship contention, and I am excited to have him on our staff. Go Bears!" 

Roberts arrived at Tulsa after serving the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Ball State, guiding the Cardinals to 71 wins during that span. The 2018 squad won the Mid-American Conference West Division with 37 wins that ranked fourth in program history. Additionally, a total of 17 Cardinals were tabbed as Academic All-MAC selections while he was part of the coaching staff.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the California softball program," Roberts said. "What Coach Spencer accomplished at Oregon and at Texas was admirable, and I am excited to work alongside her. I look forward to contributing to the Cal softball program and its legacy."

Roberts spent time in the Pac-12 as a graduate assistant at Washington during the 2017 season. He assisted the Huskies' pitching staff, including mentoring NFCA All-Region and First-Team All-Pac 12 selection Taran Alvelo. Washington posted a 50-win season and an appearance in the Women's College World Series.

Along with his duties at Washington, Roberts was an assistant coach for the Team Seattle U14 travel squad, developing five pitchers who later played at the Division I level. He managed all facets of the pitching staff, including in-game pitch calling, bullpens and mental skill development.

Roberts played collegiate baseball at Milwaukee Area Technical College (2013-14) and St. Ambrose University (2014-16) before starting his coaching career. He graduated from St. Ambrose in 2016 with a degree in business management and a minor in leadership.