Chris Pinder named new head softball coach at Edmonds College

LYNNWOOD -- Chris Pinder has been hired as the next leader of the Edmonds College Softball program, effective immediately.

Pinder was the inaugural coach of the North Creek High School fastpitch softball team in 2018 when the Bothell school opened its doors. Including the Covid years, he spent nine seasons at the helm and dually served as head coach of the slow-pitch team in the fall when it was launched a few years ago.

Being in the highly competitive KingCo conference as a first-year program was a challenge that Pinder not only embraced but excelled at. The past three seasons (2024-2026) the Jaguars qualified for the WIAA 4A State Tournament. In 2025 he led the Jaguars to a KingCo Crest Division Championship. In 2019, 2024, and 2025 Pinder was selected as the KingCo Conference 4A Coach of the Year.

For seven years (2015-2022) he was the head coach and director of the Northwest Lady Bandits select softball program, leading all operations, training, and coaches. Pinder led the Giants Fastpitch teams from 2022-2024. He has a proven track record of mentoring athletes through the collegiate recruiting process and developing them holistically. His teams at North Creek maintained high academic standards.

"I am grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to the challenge of collegiate coaching, working with our student-athletes, administration, and helping to continue the winning culture here at Edmonds College. My depth of experience with travel ball in this area along with successfully building a local high school program from scratch has prepared me well. Now it's time to get to work!," said Pinder.

Pinder is originally from Virginia and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants as a pitcher in 1992. He competed in their minor league system before transitioning to coaching. His family is ingrained in softball as both of his daughter's have reached the four-year collegiate level to play.

In addition to his softball duties, Pinder was the head coach of the Girls JV basketball team at North Creek from 2021-2026. He previously served as a varsity assistant for the Mountlake Terrace High School baseball team from 2008-2011, and spent one year as an assistant with Jackson High School softball in 2017. Pinder currently works full-time at North Creek High School.

"Coach Pinder has the background, knowledge and competitive nature that is required for success, but what really stands out is his character. He really cares about his players and builds genuine relationships with everyone involved," said athletic director Spencer Stark.

"I know it was hard for him to leave North Creek but we are thrilled he's accepted this new challenge. We are getting an A+ person and our athletic administration can't wait to see the great things this group will do under his leadership," Stark added.

There are a committed group of returners from last year's 40-win season, Coach Watson's recruits are intact, and additional players and transfers have committed over the past three weeks. The foundation of Triton softball is very strong as it moves forward into the next chapter.

Coach Pinder is working to put his full coaching staff together; fall ball starts in approximately two months. 

He can be contacted via email at chris.pinder@edmonds.edu or by cell phone at 425-583-0575.