Meet The Coaches

Patrick Daly

President & Head Coach

Specialty: Hitting, Infield

Patrick grew up as a “military brat” and lived all over the world with stops in Greece, Germany, Ohio, New York, and Washington. After graduating college, he was a High School & Middle School Science & Math teacher and youth minister. He left teaching for a career in medical sales, and lives in the Bitterroot Valley with his wife, Marcy, and their three children – Ella (17), Lucy (14), and Camden (11). Marcy and Patrick also run Montana Farmhouse Candles.

Patrick enjoys fly fishing, camping, floating Montana’s streams, carpentry, cooking, and gardening. In high school, he played volleyball and was a competitive swimmer. During college, he helped to found Washington State University’s Ice Hockey team, which he played on (and is proud to say the team still competes collegiately). Some proud moments are scoring the winning overtime goal to secure a hockey championship and setting the top slapshot speed in an all-star game.

Patrick started his coaching career over 30 years ago and has coached over 2,000 athletes in nine different sports. One of his first coaching jobs was as a 7th-grade coach in 1997 for the first-ever fastpitch season (previously, the girls had all played slow-pitch). It was here he fell in love with the game, and coached the initial team to two undefeated seasons, while trying to figure out how to teach this "new" style of pitching!

Patrick's teams have won 59 titles, and at one point he held the longest prep win streak in Washington State by a coach for any sport. While he’s proud of the championships, records, and athletes that went on to college-level sports and national-level success, he is much prouder of the culture that was created through each team. One of his proudest moments has been watching “his” athletes grow into successful adults. Kids who were on his teams have met their lifelong best friends, and some even are happily married now, after meeting on teams that he coached! He’s even had the chance to coach a few “second generation” kids of his original athletes.

Throughout his coaching career, he’s tried to ensure that all his athletes left his teams with increased confidence, work ethic, sportsmanship, and the many other positive traits instilled through sports.

Mark Wells

Vice President & Coach of 18U Black

Specialty: Catchers, Throwing, Outfield

Mark Wells is a husband, father, and an avid fly fisherman. He is also a proud dog parent of Bert the wonderful mutt and Bear, a very rambunctious St. Bernard.
When he is not coaching on the softball field or attending his children’s sports activities, he enjoys time with his family, cooking, traveling, camping, fly fishing, and hunting.
Mark has been coaching for 12 years, Tee-ball, baseball, and fast-pitch softball. Throughout his life, Coach Mark played a variety of sports including Basketball, Rugby, Softball, Soccer, Wrestling, and of course Baseball!

Coach Mark played all-star baseball as a kid and during high school, he played baseball for the Helena Senators. While in college, Mark played a couple of years for the U of M Baseball Club, and for 2 years he was a Cheerleader for the Montana Grizzlies.
Fun facts about Coach Mark: In 1983 and 1985 he was the Montana State Youth Archery bare-bow champion, and as an active youth has a history of sports-related injuries. Coach Mark has a dossier of 9 broken bones, 4 dislocations, and 3 screws in his right knee!

Jaime Bunton

Vice President & 18U Black Coach

Specialty: Pitchers, Hitting, Health & Wellness Coaching

Hi, my name is Jaime and I am originally from Massachusetts, and have been living in Missoula for the last 12 years. I am the Chief Administrative Officer for MoneyDolly, a fundraising platform that helps youth sports, schools, and community groups raise money to do the things they love. Sports have always been a big part of my life, I grew up playing many; basketball, field hockey, and softball. I love that my job and coaching brings that full circle for me.

Softball is one of my passions. I started playing at a young age and was the starting varsity pitcher of my high school and went on to play 3 years of college ball at Emerson College in Boston, MA. Coaching became a big part of my life once my daughters joined the sport. I have been a coach for 10 years and have coached every level starting in T-ball thru 18U travel. My approach to coaching is making sure the kids love what they do. This is a game and it should be fun. No matter what level you are at, or how long you have played the sport, there's always room for improvement and growth, whether it's your mindset or your mechanics. In my job and in my coaching, I do my best to pay attention to detail. I truly enjoy being able to help a player improve, even if it's a simple change to their swing or stance. Seeing it 'click' for the player is so fulfilling.

Whether I am playing or coaching, when I step on that field, I am dedicated to the players and the game. I take pride in being a role model, an advocate, a cheerleader, and a coach for these girls. Being a part of a team and being a part of this level of competition, instills such amazing lifelong lessons. I know that my time as a student athlete, and my time as a softball player helped mold me into who I am today. I am so grateful I had those opportunities and I love seeing all the girls on this team have those experiences now. It teaches girls to be driven, competitive, to be tough mentally and physically, to be a team player, to never give up, to be supportive, to let others lift them up when they need it, to know your team has your back, to know it's okay to fail and keep trying your best to succeed. The friendships you make and the lessons you learn on the diamond, will stay with you always.

Amanda James

12U & 16U Coach

Specialty: Middle Infield, Hitting Mechanics

Amanda James’ love for softball began at the age of 9, playing in a local city league. By 12, she was picked up by a Missoula Travel ball team. During her high school years, Amanda was recognized multiple times as an All-State Shortstop and helped her team secure a state championship. Her success was largely influenced by her summer travel ball organization, where her team won the Montana state title every year from 12U to 18U, a regional title, and a national title. Competing across the western United States, they participated in numerous showcase tournaments, putting Montana softball on the map. By the end of their journey, Amanda and her teammates were sought after by colleges nationwide, with many receiving scholarships. Amanda earned a full-ride scholarship to play as a shortstop for Wenatchee, Washington. Through her journey, Amanda developed the skills necessary to excel both on and off the field. She understands the dedication, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship required to succeed in the sport. Amanda proudly attributes her success in life to the values instilled in her through softball. As a coach, Amanda strives to impart these same values to young athletes. She believes it is her duty to pass on her skills and knowledge to the next generation of passionate softball players and help them reach the level of success they strive for.

Eli Bierwag

12U & 16U Coach

Specialties: Game analytics, corner infield

First and foremost I am Melissa’s husband and dad to Finn, Ruby, and Talia. I am also the Vice President of Post Production for Warm Springs Productions, helping to make cable television programming for national cable networks in Missoula, Montana.

I have been playing, coaching, and managing my men’s slow-pitch softball team for 30 seasons and I’ve been around the fields for as long as I can remember; first as a bat boy and eventually as scorekeeper for my Dad’s softball team. In more recent years, I have helped to coach my daughter Ruby’s softball teams - from tee ball to little league and now going into her 3rd season of playing travel ball.

My approach to coaching, just as with parenting, is that I will always have more to learn from those around me than I can possibly teach. What I lack in understanding of the fundamentals of the game I try to make up for with a willingness to help the team in any way. My strengths lie in promoting positive motivation, establishing personal connections with players and coaches, and a true desire to help kids build their love for the game of softball and themselves.

When not at the softball practice field you will probably find me on the golf course. I fear I have let my love of golf move from casual to near addiction. I have been whacking the ball around the links for nearly 30 years, and I am maybe just a little better now than I was when I started. Let’s just say I will have to live a LONG time to have a chance of shooting my age.

Nyeala (Ny/Nay) Herndon

Specialists Coach & Coach of 18U White

Specialties: Pitching, throwing mechanics

Pictured on the right wearing her medal after helping lead our 2025 16U to a championship, Nyeala (Ny/Nay) Herndon grew up in Helena Montana where she graduated from Capital High School in 2023. During her high school career she was named best player in the state of Montana by MaxPreps in February of her Senior year. She was named second team all-conference as both a sophomore and senior, despite her final season cut short. As a Junior she earned first team all-conference and all-state honors, was named the Western AA Defensive Player of the Year and Helena Independent Record Player of the year.

Nyeala Continued her Softball career at the University of Montana from 2023-2025 before just recently medically retiring. Currently, she serves as an assistant coach for the Hellgate High School program.

With her total of 16 years of playing, the experience and competitive background has encouraged her desire to give back to the game by helping develop the next generation of athletes. She understands the physical and mental demands of the game and uses her experience to help athletes build their confidence and performance in the game.

Carleton "Cliff" Clifford

Pitching Coach

ROCK N FIRE Fastpitch Kinetics

Cliff has been a pitching coach for over 30 years beginning with his daughters Brittani and Brie. Brittani
was a two time AA State Champion and two time Gatorade Player of the Year at Missoula Big Sky.
Brittani was also an All-Pacific Coast Conference Pitcher at Sacramento State University, setting a school record and leading NCAA Division 1 pitchers in saves in 2008. Brie was a two-time All-State pitcher for the Hamilton Broncs striking just under 400 batters over 2 years for the Broncs. Brie also has a successful college career at the NAIA level. Cliff's learning and experiences with his daughters lit a fire for coaching fastpitch pitchers that has grown and burns brightly!

In 2010 Brittani established Rock N Fire Fastpitch Kinetics to pass on her knowledge and experience to
the younger generations. Brittani is busy with family and work and teaches occasionally while Cliff
handles the bulk of private lessons, clinics and camps. Both Cliff and Brittani have worked with hundreds of pitchers from beginners to NCAA standouts. Both have sent dozens of pitchers on to successful college careers at all levels.

Cliff currently coaches the pitchers at Hamilton High School and at Missoula Big Sky. He also schedules
private and group lessons and works with a variety of fastpitch organizations throughout the region.

Erik Rogers

Specialists Coach & Coach of 18U White

Specialties: Catching, infield

Erik is a dedicated family man and proud parent of two. Growing up, he was a multi-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling, and baseball—experiences that helped shape his strong work ethic, discipline, and love for team sports.

He brings a combined eight years of coaching experience to the field, including five years coaching baseball and three years coaching softball. Erik is passionate about teaching fundamentals, building confidence, and helping players develop both their skills and character.

What he enjoys most about coaching is watching athletes improve, grow into their roles, and gain confidence on and off the field. He is committed to creating a positive, supportive, and competitive environment where players can learn, work hard, and have fun.