Angela Corliss (Slaugh) has established a significant legacy within Western New Mexico University (WNMU) athletics, first as a standout pitcher and later as a coach. Her time with the Lady Mustangs was marked by notable achievements, including an impressive sophomore season with a 23-5 record, a 0.95 earned run average (ERA), and 264 strikeouts in 209 innings. This performance earned her the PacWest Pitcher of the Year award.
Corliss maintained her form into her junior year, recording 318 strikeouts in 226 innings and lowering her ERA to 0.84, which led to her second consecutive PacWest Pitcher of the Year honor. In her senior year, she achieved a 0.50 ERA over 302.1 innings, holding opposing batters to a .142 average. She received her third straight PacWest Pitcher of the Year recognition and was named Most Valuable Player of the West Regional Tournament in Arcadia, California.
Throughout her collegiate career, Corliss consistently posted some of the lowest ERAs in the program’s history:
- 0.58 ERA in 2004 (302.1 IP)
- 0.84 ERA in 2003 (226 IP)
- 0.85 ERA in 2001 (172 IP)
- 0.94 ERA in 2002 (209.1 IP)
After her playing days at WNMU, Corliss spent two seasons as an assistant coach at California State University–Monterey Bay before returning to WNMU as part of the coaching staff in 2007. She became head coach of the Mustangs Softball Program by 2012 and was approaching her 100th career win during her sixth season in 2017.
In recognition of her contributions to the program, Corliss was inducted into the WNMU Hall of Fame in 2015.
Following graduation, Corliss played softball in the Czech Republic for eight months before moving back to the United States to play semi-professionally in Nebraska. She later coached in Monterey, California, before settling in Capitan, New Mexico. There, she works as a Business Support Specialist at Capitan Municipal Schools and previously served as the school’s softball coach for two years. Outside her professional role, she and her husband participate in youth sports activities.
"Angela Corliss is more than just a record-breaking pitcher; she is a leader, mentor, and role model who exemplifies what it means to give back to the game. From her incredible strikeout numbers to her transition into a respected coaching role, her career has inspired countless athletes to pursue greatness on and off the field.
Corliss continues to be a symbol of talent, perseverance, and Mustang pride—a player who didn't just play the game but elevated it."
