Regan Saulnier

Saulnier joins the Mountaineers’ coaching staff in 2026 as the team’s hitting coach and first base coach. She has spent six seasons in professional baseball as a coach with the New York Mets, including roles in player development, primarily with catchers. She is currently a full-time student at Long Island University working toward a master’s degree in Exercise Science and is coaching alongside numerous former professional players and coaches with the Monmouth County (NJ) Oilers – an elite youth travel baseball program.

A native of South Carolina, Saulnier dreamt of a career in professional baseball. She spent time alongside her father, Brian Durham, who coached professionally and collegiately, growing up in “the family business,” she said. She never intended to coach – she just wanted to work in baseball, at a ballpark. She tried scouting but found it lonely.

“I fell in love with that side of the game – the camaraderie, working toward a common goal, that’s been what I’ve done ever since. I’ve always loved baseball,” she said. “My first job was with the minor league baseball team in our town doing promos when I was 16. I’ve never not worked in baseball. I played when I was a kid, and my dad was the catalyst.”

Saulnier is the first female coach in the Mountaineers’ organization and the second in the NECBL – the Mystic Schooners’ Laura Leonetti became the first in 2025.

“It’s cool, it’s an interesting space that may not have been explored yet,” Saulnier said. “Women may not think there are opportunities. I hope that I can leave a good impression and open a door, there is no reason why I should be the first. I won’t say it’s been easy, it’s been really hard, but if you don’t open the door to it, and you don’t give anyone a reason to think otherwise, it goes so smoothly and normally. I come in and focus and do a good job; I know where I am supposed to be, and if I come in prepared, communicate and work hard, I can do the job. If you don’t give adversity a chance, it won’t grow.”