Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout Tiffany "Baker" Wilkinson begins her second season as a graduate assistant on the ETSU softball coaching staff.

Wilkinson built quite the impressive resume during her four-year playing career at Chattanooga, and she will work with the hitters, infielders, and tackle daily operations at ETSU.

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tiffany from her high school days and was fortunate to coach her for three years at Chattanooga,” said head ETSU softball coach Brad Irwin. “Tiffany was an outstanding player and has one of the strongest work ethics I have ever seen – nobody outworks Tiffany Baker. However, even more impressive, she is an outstanding person and will also be an amazing role model for our players at ETSU. We’re very excited to have Tiffany join our Buccaneer family.”

The former Lady Moc hit 50 career home runs, shattering both the Chattanooga and SoCon all-time marks, while also being a three-time NFCA All-South Region and First Team All-SoCon selection. Along with her success on the field, Wilkinson also posted a 3.73 grade-point-average in the classroom en route to being named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-District IV First Team. The three-time SoCon All-Academic member played an integral role in helping Chattanooga reach its first-ever regional final appearance this past season. Wilkinson hit .455 (5-for-11) with a double, three home runs, three runs scored, and six RBIs in the four games played at the Tuscaloosa Regional. 

Wilkinson, who hit 18 of her 50 round-trippers in 2011, was tied for 13th among NCAA Division I players and she also ranked 13th in RBIs per game (1.16). To go with her 50 career homers, Baker hit .325 (200-616) with 39 doubles and 163 RBIs in 218 games (217 starts) for the Lady Mocs. In addition, Baker led Chattanooga to four SoCon regular season titles and three NCAA Regional appearances.

Wilkinson not only received the news of being an assistant coach on Irwin’s staff this summer, but the East Ridge, Tenn. native also learned she was a Southern Conference nominee for the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year. Wilkinson graduated magna cum laude in early August of 2011 with a Health and Human Performance, Pedogogy degree.

Along with stellar success on the diamond and in the classroom, Wilkinson also gave back to the community. Wilkinson assisted in setting up activities with an honorary teammate through the Jaclyn Program and teaching the game of softball to younger athletes. She also spent time volunteering with Girl Scouts Athletics Day, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and Read Across America Day through the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).