Kara Buente joined the Softball coaching staff in January 2026 ahead of the spring season.
A former standout pitcher at La Roche, Buente was nationally ranked in DIII ERA, strikeouts per 7 innings, walks allowed per 7 innings and shutouts. She earned AMCC All-Conference Pitcher honors in 2011 and was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection. Her dominance began at Hubbard High School, where during her senior season she posted a 0.83 ERA, 153 strikeouts, and a 12–3 record, becoming the first pitcher in school history to throw back-to-back no-hitters.
In addition to her playing career, Coach Buente has provided private pitching and hitting instruction for over 20 years, developing athletes across multiple age groups and competitive levels.
Beyond the field, Coach Buente is the Founder of The Bella Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for children and families navigating complex medical diagnoses, life-threatening illness, and access to critical clinical trials and care. The organization stands for equity in healthcare access, family advocacy, and patient-centered navigation, providing guidance and support to families when they need it most.
She is also the Founder and Owner of Integrity First Clinical Trials, an independent clinical research site committed to ethical, high-quality research and advancing life-saving treatments — reflecting the same values of integrity, accountability, and excellence she instills in her athletes.
