ATLANTA – Georgia State University is proud to announce the additions of Alexandra Preston and Mallory Borden to the Panthers softball coaching staff, head coach Becca Owens announced.
"Bringing in Borden is a tremendous addition to our staff, along with promoting Preston to pitching coach," said Owens. "Borden's extensive experience and proven track record will be invaluable for building a championship-caliber defense, while Alex's deep understanding of our program's vision and strong rapport with the players make her the perfect leader to elevate our pitching staff."
Assistant Coach Alexandra Preston
Alexandra Preston was promoted to assistant coach in August 2025 after serving two seasons as a graduate assistant with the Panthers beginning in August 2023. The California native brings a stellar playing background, including three seasons at Fresno State and two seasons at Alabama State.
Preston started 102 of 103 games at Alabama State, finishing her career with a .467 slugging percentage. In 2022, she led the SWAC with 16 doubles, followed by a powerful 2023 season that included seven home runs, 38 RBIs and a multi-homer game against Bethune-Cookman. She earned SWAC Hitter of the Week honors for hitting .308 with two homers and eight RBIs in five games.
During her Fresno State tenure, Preston appeared in 49 games with 30 starts at catcher, compiling a .989 fielding percentage and earning Academic All-Mountain West honors throughout her time there.
She graduated from Alabama State in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies, concentrating in political science with a minor in psychology, and completed her master's degree in political science at Georgia State in 2025.
Assistant Coach Mallory Borden
Mallory Borden brings a wealth of coaching and leadership experience.
She served as athletic director at Middleburg High School in Florida during the 2024-25 school year, overseeing all athletic programs and operations.
Borden spent six seasons at Elon University, advancing from assistant coach (2017–19) to associate head coach and recruiting coordinator (2019–23). She helped guide players to career-best offensive performances and earned conference and regional honors, including CAA Defensive Player of the Year and NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region recognition. She also led large-scale camps, such as a USA Softball of NC event that attracted over 160 athletes.
Before Elon, Borden was a volunteer assistant at College of Charleston for the 2016-17 season, contributing to a team batting average of .303 and helping the defense rank nationally with 27 double plays. She also led community service projects there.
A four-year letterwinner and team captain at Florida State (2009–12), Borden helped the Seminoles capture an ACC championship and multiple NCAA tournament appearances. She began her collegiate career at Santa Fe Community College, earning numerous honors and helping her team achieve a No. 2 national ranking.
Borden earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and social science from Florida State in 2012 and has served as an officer with the FSU police department as well as an instructor for GameSpeed Softball in Tallahassee.
"We're excited to see the energy, insight, and commitment both Mallory Borden and Alexandra Preston will bring as we push toward the next level of success." Owens remarked, eager for the new season.
