Abigail Farler was introduced as the fourth head coach in Wildcat Softball history in June 2019. A four-year letter winner at Marshall and All-Conference USA selection, Farler came to Abilene following a successful era at Corban University – a private Christian college based in Salem, Ore.

Farler is entering her fifth season with the Wildcats. Her 2022 team secured a 25-26 record and a berth in the WAC tournament. In her first season with ACU, coach Farler emphasized a fast-paced and risk-taking offensive strategy that made for entertaining and exciting games. The team has improved their record in each of her first three years and has made appearances in back-to-back conference tournaments. In her time with the Wildcats she has produced four All-Conference selections (1 SLC, 3 WAC) and 14 conference All-Academic selections. 

The Wildcats 25-26 record in 2022 was the best record since 2017 and the season was highlighted by a home win over Texas Tech, a sweep of Sam Houston, and a series win over SFA. 

Farler’s Warriors posted a 120-44 (.731) record between 2017 and 2019, which included a national runner-up finish at the 2017 NAIA College World series. Her first Corban team won a program-best 46 games, earning her Cascade Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year honors, while her 2018 and 2019 squads both qualified for the NAIA National Tournament.

The 2019 Warriors won 37 games, batted .322 and recorded a 2.88 ERA without one single illegal pitch. They also set two new team season records with 134 stolen bases (fifth most in NAIA) and 20 triples (T16th).

Beyond successes found on the diamond, Farler additionally monitored the Warriors’ academic progress that resulted in a 3.38 team GPA and led both team service projects and community outreach opportunities.

Farler’s collegiate coaching career began in January 2013 as the pitching coach for Colorado School of Mines where she mentored NFCA All-America and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year Kelly Unkrich. Later that year she returned to her hometown of Monmouth, Ore., to join the staff at Western Oregon and the following spring she helped lead the Wolves to the DII West Regionals. She additionally coached multiple pitchers to NFCA NCAA DII West Region and All-Great Northwest Conference Honors.

A standout pitcher at Marshall (WVa.), Farler anchored a program that won 133 games between 2004-07. Through four seasons and 129 appearances she registered 52 wins, a 2.71 ERA and 363 strikeouts. Farler also recorded 18 shutouts with seven saves and averaged just 1.6 walks per 7.0 innings pitched. She earned an all-conference citation at the conclusion of 2006 and as a senior she was named a 2007 NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete.

Farler’s collegiate success with the Thundering Herd allowed her to play professional softball with Utrecht Centrals in the Netherlands. She later served as a pitching instructor for area athletes in Scottsdale, Ariz. (2007-12) and Greenwood Village, Colo. (2012-13).

Farler graduated from Marshall in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education as a member of the Dean’s List.

She and her husband, Matt, have a daughter, Aubrey, and two sons, Griffin and Brady.
 

Coach Farler By Season

Year	School	W	L
2017	Corban	46	13
2018	Corban	37	15
2019	Corban	37	16
	Corban total	120	44
2020	Abilene Christian	7	17
2021	Abilene Christian	14	33
2022	Abilene Christian	25	26
2023	Abilene Christian	16	36
	ACU Total	62	112
	Career (7 years)	182	156