Softball Staff

Meet your Hayner Academy/ Sports Barn Softball Staff

  • Amanda Fifield

    Specializes in pitching hitting and catching

    • Since 2013, Amanda has been the varsity softball coach at Ballston Spa Central School District where she is also employed as a teacher.
    • Co-Coach of the Year for NYS Class A 2019
    • 2019 led BSpa to the State Semi-final game 20 innings long (3 hours 52 minutes long) NYS record for state championships. 
    • Times Union Coach of the Year 2019
    • Large Schools Softball 100th Career Win came with a 3rd Sectional Championship with a 3-2 win over South Glens Falls on June 4th. 
    • In 2018 Amanda led Ballston Spa to a Section II class AA Title, Regional Title, and State Championship Game where they finished Number 2 in NY for class AA. Three players were named to all-state teams.
    • In 2016, Amanda led Ballston Spa to the Section II Class AA Championship, Regional Championship, and State Semi-Finals.  For her efforts Amanda was named Times Union Coach of the Year.
    • In 2017, she was named Suburban Council Coach of the Year.
    • In 2016, Amanda was named Albany Diocese Teacher of the Year as an Elementary teacher at St. Mary's Waterford.
    • Amanda served as Head Softball Coach at Clinton County Community College in Plattsburgh '05 - '09.  Amanda served as an Assistant Coach there in '04.
    • Was MVP in both her years as a pitcher for Clinton Community College.
    • Amanda joined the Hayner Academy staff in 2010.

  • Ashlyn Kersch

    Specializes in Pitching, hitting and fielding

    • Ashlyn is a 2020 graduate of SUNY Geneseo where she played softball for 4 years.  Ashlyn led her team to the SUNYAC Championships and NCAA Regionals in 2018 and first ever NCAA Super-Regional appearance in 2019.
    • Ashlyn spent her time on the mound at SUNY Geneseo while also studying mathematics with secondary education.
    • In 2018, Ashlyn was named the SUNYAC Tournament MVP.
    • In 2019, Ashlyn was named 1st team ALL-SUNYAC Team, 1st team NFCA All - Region and received the Kentucky Regionals MVP.
    • In both 2019 and 2020 Ashlyn was named CO-SIDA Academic All-District Team.
    • Ashlyn is a 2016 Graduate of Ballston Spa where she played both volleyball and softball.  In her senior season she led the Scotties softball team to their first ever sectional championship, regional championship and final four appearance.
    • in 2016, Ashlyn was named Suburban Council Pitcher of the Year, 1st team All -Section II, athlete of the year for large schools by The Times Union, and NYS 4th team All-Star.


  • Jessie Brustle

    Specializes in PITCHING, Hitting, and Fielding

    • Jessie was a full – time member of the faculty at Loudonville Christian School from 2016-2022.  Jessie taught health and physical education.  She also served LCS as their Varsity Softball and Varsity Volleyball Coach.
    • Jessie graduated from Houghton College in 2016 with a degree in Health and Physical Education.
    • At Houghton, Jessie played 4 years of Varsity Softball and Volleyball and was co-captain of both programs her senior year.
    • Jessie was Assistant Coach for Saratoga County Hurricanes Travel Softball Program 2015-2016
    • Jessie is a 2012 graduate of Shenendehowa H.S. where she also played both varsity softball and volleyball.

  • Mandy Ferro

    Specializes in Pitching and Hitting

    • Mandy is currently the Varsity Softball Coach at Guilderland Central School.
    • Was the Assistant Softball Coach at RPI for 5 seasons. In 2017 and 2018, Mandy was a part of the Coaching Staff of the Year.
    • Is a 2013 graduate of Siena College where she has also served as an assistant coach prior to getting the varsity position at Guilderland.     
    • After her senior season in ’13, Mandy was named to the All MAAC Softball 2nd team.      
    • Was a 3 - year varsity softball player for Shenendehowa Central School.        
    • In 2008, Mandy was named Suburban Council MVP.      
    • In 2008, she was also selected to the First Team New York State All - State Team.
    • Was a 3 sport athlete at Shenendehowa. 
    • Mandy joined the Hayner Academy staff in September 2015

  • Norm Hayner

    Specializes in Hitting and Catching

    • Norm currently coaches the Barnstormers 15u Travel Baseball Team.
    • Varsity Baseball Coach at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake H.S. 1995 - 2000.  Led Spartans to 1998 Section II Class A title, Region IV title and runner up finish at NY State final four
    • Former Pitching Coach at UMass/Amherst, Siena College, Skidmore College and Schenectady C.C.
    • Division I catcher and graduate of Siena College ('85).
    • Earned M.S. in Sport Management at UMass/Amherst ('92)
    • Former Player/Manager of Apex Printing in Albany Twilight League, achieving 3 consecutive league championships, 3 NYS AABC Stan Musial Division Titles, 1 AABC North Atlantic Regional Championship and 2 runner ups and a 3rd place finish at the 1989 Stan Musial World Series in Battle Creek, Michigan.
    • Member of the Shenendehowa Athletic Hall of Fame and Albany Twilight League Hall of Fame

  • rEBecca Hayner

    SPECIALIZES IN HITTING AND FIELDING

    • 2021 graduate of Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) with a dual degree in Intercultural Studies and Business Administration
    • While at ENC, Hayner contributed to the softball program’s two consecutive conference championship wins as a starting centerfielder
    • Named to the All-New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) first team during the 2020-2021 season. 
    • Named to the NECC Del Malloy Sportsmanship Team during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons
    • 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee
    • 2021 NECC Senior Student Athlete of the Year Nominee
    • Rebecca has served as an assistant coach at The Sports Barn’s various summer camps, including the Miss Shen softball camp and All Sports Camp
    • Prior to college, Rebecca came up through the Miss Shen program and played for the Saratoga County Hurricanes