Lyndonville, VT - Vermont State University Lyndon has named Antonia Peretti as its new head softball coach. Peretti succeeds Kevin Valentine, who retired at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year.
Peretti comes to Lyndon from Boston Collegiate Charter School in Dorchester, MA, where she served as the varsity softball coach for the past two seasons. Her 2025 team captured the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization championship. Peretti was named the MCSAO Coach of the Year after leading her team to the title. The Hurricanes reached the MCSAO semi-finals Peretti's first season as head coach in 2024. She was an assistant coach on Boston Collegiate Charter's 2023 championship team.
Prior to coming to Boston Collegiate Charter, Peretti served as the junior varsity softball coach at Franklin High School in Franklin, MA. She has also been active on the club and travel softball circuit. Most recently she was the head coach of the Bay State Frenzy 14 U team. Prior to that she coached the Energy Athletics - Rox Softball 16U team for two years. She had previously worked as an instructor with Brand New Ballgame Rox Softball, and had coached with the Easton Youth Softball League in Easton, MA, for four seasons.
Peretti is excited to be taking over the Lyndon program. "I'm beyond thankful to Chris Gilmore for giving me this incredible opportunity to continue growing in my coaching career. Being named head coach of the Vermont State University–Lyndon softball program is truly an honor. I'm excited to lead the Hornets and work with such a driven and talented group of student-athletes. My goal is to build on the foundation that's been laid, continue developing the program, and guide our team to success this season and in the years to come."
Peretti elaborated a bit about her priorities and values. "Softball has always been a passion of mine, and my coaching philosophy centers on building a culture of trust, teamwork, and mental toughness—helping athletes grow not just as players, but as confident, resilient individuals. I look forward to continuing growing the program, and working together to achieve success both on the field and in the classroom this season and beyond."
Vermont State Lyndon athletic director Chris Gilmore believes that Peretti is the right person to keep the program moving forward. "Antonia's experience and love of the game of softball were evident from the moment I first spoke to her about the position. She expressed a commitment to supporting our student athletes on the field and in the classroom. Her enthusiasm is already evident in how she is working with our current athletes. As we move forward, I'm excited for what the future holds with Antonia in charge"
What others are saying about Peretti....
"Boston Collegiate's softball program was in a 6 year slump since their last championship all of which changed with the addition of Coach Peretti. It isn't her exceptional knowledge of the game or her dedication to the design of drills to perfect her players skill sets that transformed the team, but rather her ability to mold the mental fortitude of athletes into being champions before the last out of the playoff season. Having coached along side Coach Peretti has taught me that opposing teams should approach the plate expecting the toughest fight of their season." - Kenji Gueldner, co-coach with Peretti at Boston Collegiate
"Antonia Peretti was an amazing coach, mentor, and most importantly a great friend. She has your best interests at heart both on and off the field. She is also a voice of reason when the game gets intense. She is a coach that you can always count on to lead any group of athletes." - Shannon Durant, former player of Peretti's
Peretti earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Framingham State University in 2022. In addition to coaching the Hornets, she will be teaching middle school science at Glover Community School.
The Hornets will look to build on a 2025 campaign that saw them finish 6-25 overall and 3-9 in North Atlantic Conference play. Lyndon finished third in the NAC's West division and qualified for the conference championship tournament for the second time in four years.
