Completed Event: Softball versus (2) #24 Louisville on May 15, 2026 , Win , 5, to, 1
Softball
vs (2) #24 Louisville
W 5-1
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Staff Directory
Ryan Ricci
- Title:
- Pitching Coach
- Years at GCU:
- 1st
- Email:
- Alma Mater:
- George Mason (2018)
Ryan Ricci joined the GCU baseball staff as pitching coach in June 2026, bringing a blend of high-level professional coaching experience, college player development and a strength-and-conditioning background to the Lopes staff.
Ricci arrives in Phoenix after a rapid rise through the Minnesota Twins organization, where he climbed from Single-A to Double-A to Triple-A coaching in three seasons. After joining the organization in 2024 as pitching coach for Single-A Fort Myers, where his staff posted a 4.13 ERA that ranked fifth in the Florida State League, Ricci moved to Double-A Wichita in 2025 before earning a promotion to Triple-A St. Paul for the 2026 season — the final step before the major leagues.
Ricci's professional experience included working with former GCU ace Pierson Ohl at Double-A Wichita in 2025. Ohl went 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 39 innings while working with Ricci, and has since reached the major leagues after being traded to the Colorado Rockies.
Before joining the Twins organization, Ricci served as George Mason's pitching coach and recruiting coordinator in 2023, helping lead the Patriots to the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and the program's first NCAA Tournament regional final. George Mason led the Atlantic 10 in ERA at 5.02 and saves with 15 while posting the lowest opponent batting average in program history at .258. Ricci's staff also set single-season program records with 516 strikeouts and 8.36 strikeouts per nine innings while lowering the team ERA from 6.44 in 2022 to 5.02 in 2023. Ricci also coached Chad Gartland, who was named Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year and selected to the A-10 All-Championship Team.
Prior to returning to his alma mater, Ricci spent two seasons as Lafayette's pitching coach. In 2022, the Leopards led the Patriot League in conference ERA at 3.84 and strikeouts with 397, and Lafayette advanced to the Patriot League Tournament semifinals during Ricci's first season in 2021.
Ricci began his coaching career at George Mason as a graduate assistant in 2019 and 2020, working with the Patriots' pitching staff, coordinating strength and conditioning for pitchers, assisting in recruiting and helping coach two pitchers who later signed professional contracts: Jared DiCesare with the Toronto Blue Jays and Brian Marconi with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Ricci's background in player development extends beyond traditional pitching instruction, including experience with movement assessments, strength and conditioning, athletic training collaboration and individualized development plans.
"I am beyond excited to get down to Phoenix and am grateful to Coach Bieser for the opportunity," Ricci said. "GCU has the chance to compete at the highest level, and I can't wait to work with the staff to help elevate the program. Looking forward to a great experience at GCU, and can't wait to get to work!"
Ricci played professionally in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization after signing in June 2018, appearing in 15 games across two levels with the Hillsboro Hops and the Arizona League Diamondbacks.
A George Mason alum, Ricci pitched for the Patriots from 2015 to 2018. He ranks fourth in program history with 70 career appearances and set a single-season school record in 2018 with 0.79 walks allowed per nine innings. Over his final two collegiate seasons, he posted a combined 2.55 ERA in 56 1/3 innings. Ricci earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and a master's degree in sport management from George Mason.
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Thursday, June 18
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