IAAM Softball Coach of the Year Phillip Tomlin guided Pallotti’s huge turnaround

By Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com

Prior to this season, the last time St. Vincent Pallotti softball challenged for a conference title was in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

Since that appearance in the B Conference final against eventual champion St. Paul’s School for Girls, the Panthers won a total of eight games — a figure matched by this year’s squad under first-year coach Phillip Tomlin.

The 2025 IAAM Softball Coach of the Year had that big of an impact on a program he hopes to build to even greater heights.

This year, though, started with a team road trip to Virginia Beach, where the Panthers played scrimmages against local high schools, watched Hampton and Bowie State universities play a game and intermingled with the players and coaches at perennial Division III power Christopher Newport University.

The journey was planned to expose his players to college athletes and their programs while giving the Panthers a taste of what softball at the next level feels like.

The scrimmages showed the Panthers that there was still work to be done

“I have to admit, it was a gamble,” Tomlin said. “We took our lumps, but we came back together, and that took us into our season — and we competed pretty well.”

According to Pallotti athletic director Patrick Courtemanche, the team’s response against league foes was off the charts.

“They played selflessly and with purpose, outscoring opponents 125-40 during the season,” he said.

After falling in non-conference matchups to Bullis and Holy Cross, the Panthers bounced back to top Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chapelgate Christian Academy, Friends and Concordia Prep to open the C Conference campaign and set the tone for a title run.

Their only league losses were to Bryn Mawr, including a narrow 11-10 setback in the championship game.

“We got to the title game, and we’re happy about our success,” Tomlin said. “There’s a lot of buzz around the program now — and it’s a program to be proud of.”

Tomlin, who assisted head coach Zuleyma Rodriguez last year, brought a wealth of experience to the job after taking over in the spring.

Included on his résumé is a coaching stint at Bishop McNamara and a semi-pro gig in Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory. He also founded and coaches a local travel team in Prince George’s County, the DMV Dream.

“We were competitive in a couple of games last year,” Tomlin said. “But we have had to reinstall a winning culture.”

It helped when Zoe Hamilton transferred to Pallotti for her senior year from Seattle and Jill Black gave up lacrosse to play softball  in her final year at the school. Hamilton played shortstop and batted cleanup while Black turned out to be the team’s most improved player.

Tomlin said that Black and other newcomers were encouraged to attend an open practice session where they could observe Tillman’s tactics, which also helped to bring several top-notch travel players into the fold.

“I’m an energy-guy, and the kids feel that,” he said.

Coaxing travel players to buy in against C Conference competition started with trust, Tomlin said.

“Let’s just play the sport that you love for the school you love.” he told them, noting that aspirations of  eventually moving up to the B Conference — or higher — is an idea that he fully embraces.

Courtemanche added that Tomlin “has completely transformed the culture, competitiveness, and camaraderie of our softball program. His leadership, dedication, and vision have revitalized a team that, just one season ago, struggled to compete, and he has done it in a way that emphasizes not only athletic excellence, but also personal growth, academic responsibility, and teamwork.”

Courtemanche also noted that Tomlin “immediately brought with him a winning attitude, a clear plan for success, and a strong connection to the sport through his work with the DMV Dream softball program.

“He made it clear from day one that his goal was to build a championship culture,” Courtemanche continued. “That goal became a reality faster than anyone imagined. He worked with his players every day, pushing them to excel on and off the field. He holds them accountable, demands hard work, and, most importantly, shows that he cares deeply about each of them as individuals. He tells the truth when it needs to be said and supports his players every step of the way.”