The Macon Bacon today announced they have brought on board Kianna Jones, a redshirt sophomore softball player from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the first female coach in Coastal Plain League history.
Jones, who hails from Surrey, British Columbia where she was a member of the Canadian Women’s Junior National Team, will be the team’s bench coach, overseeing the team’s baseball analytics and coaching the bases during the 2022 season.
“Kianna reached out to us first about internships but in talking with her, it was clear that she belonged on the field, both coaching and in the analytics area,” said team president Brandon Raphael. “When we connected her to Kevin Soine, our manager, he felt she was a perfect fit. We're thrilled to have her blaze the trail for history in the Coastal Plain League."
Soine, who has five years of CPL experience, knew immediately that Jones would be a positive addition to the staff.
"We feel extremely lucky to have Kianna as a part of our staff," said Head Coach Kevin Soine. "Kianna's skills in data analytics and player development will bring a huge competitive advantage for the team. I'm looking forward to working together and welcoming such a great role model for young people pursuing a career in baseball."
Jones started 50 games for UNC in 2022, mainly in right field. She was second on the team in home runs with seven (including two game winning homers) and third in slugging percentage at .478.
"I'm super excited to get started with the Bacon," said Jones. "In October, I had the opportunity to talk to Rachel Balkovec, who manages the Class-A Tampa Tarpons, and she, along with one of my teammates Kayla Baptista, inspired me to pursue the opportunities that baseball holds. My main goal this summer is to inspire the next generation of young women who want to work in baseball and to show them that there are so many more opportunities to follow their dreams."
The Macon Bacon open their 2022 home season on Friday, May 27th vs. the Florence Flamingos at 7pm and will have a post-game fireworks show. Less than 100 tickets are still available by visiting www.maconbaconbaseball.com