2025-2026 Assignments

David Lotti (16U National Lotti – Head Coach)

In a time when new travel organizations pop up with greater frequency each season, Coach Lotti and his Thunder organization have been around for over 25 years and remained true to the Northeast organization’s overarching principles: 1) teaching young athletes to be responsible and accountable in every facet of their lives, 2) to respect coaches, teammates, parents, the game and the opportunity the game can give prospective student athletes, 3) to give to the game of softball and the team the very best of themselves – whether it be parents, coaches or players – instilling work ethic, pride and a sense of team first. Over the span Thunder has seen our 2012 18U National team tied for 3rd at the prestigious Boulder IDT and the 2019 14U National team ranked 1st in the Northeast and 8th nationally. This past summer our 16u National team finished 5th at PGF Premier Nationals considered the top National event in the country and the 14u National team 17th. Rhode Island Thunder is considered the top program in the New England/Northeast corridor. Altogether, there have been over 1,000 young athletes coming through the RI Thunder program over the last 22 plus years. Says one current club coach: “Dave Lotti was meant to coach in the truest sense of the word. Dave is an ‘old school’ coach, straight shooting, extremely intelligent and precise about the game, and ready to capitalize in any game situation, possessing insatiable desire to compete and relentless in his pursuit of success.” One parent of a top player added: “Dave and RI Thunder have competed at the highest levels of travel ball and have done so largely with New England kids and without wholesale sponsorship. Dave doesn’t poach or try to create all-star teams from other kids’ and teams’ successes—it is home-grown. These kids come to practice not only to learn the game from but to learn how to best function as a team. Our teams have had success because they know each other, trust each other and function as a team vs. a collection of capable individuals.

Bob Rossi (16U National Lotti – Asst Coach & Recruiting Coordinator)

Bob Rossi has been coaching Rhode Island Thunder softball for 20 years with Dave Lotti. He currently is an Asst. Coach on the Rhode Island Thunder Gold 16 U National Lotti team that finished 5th at PGF Nationals this summer. The highest finish by a Northeast Team ever. His duties include but not limited to working with catchers and being the recruiting coordinator for all Thunder Teams in the organization.

Frank Lieto (18U National Lotti – Head Coach)

Libby Walsh (18U National Lotti – ASST Coach)

Libby Walsh is a junior on the Boston University softball team. At shortstop, she contributed to the Terriers third-consecutive Patriot League Championship title. She finished the 2025 season second on the team in batting .348, with 46 hits, including six doubles, three triples and three homers, along with 35 runs scored, 26 RBIs, five stolen bases and 20 walks for a .442 on-base percentage and All-Patriot League First Team honors. Before BU, she earned All-Pac-12 Freshman Team honors at Arizona State University in 2024. As a high school player with the Rhode Island Thunder National teams, she was 22nd on the 2023 Extra Elite rankings by Extra Inning Softball and earned PGF All-American East Team honors. In her senior year at King Philip Regional High School, she was named Boston Globe Athlete of the Year and received Boston Herald All-Scholastic honors.

Joe Coupal (14U National Lotti – Head Coach)

Coaching Experience – 15+ years – Softball, Basketball, Baseball – ages 5-18. 10 years coaching club softball including 2022-23 (RI Thunder 16U National) and 2020-21 with Rhode Island Thunder 14U National team (finished 17th at PGF National Premier). Previously, Dirt Dawgs (12U – 18U over 6 years) and also served as softball director for 3 years.
Previous Certifications – NCAA Certified Coach, ACE, PCA
Coaching Philosophy – teach and develop progression in all areas including gratitude, humility, respect, integrity, communications, competitiveness, Game IQ, and skills. “Be a better human being each day and compete at the highest level you can – Be the best you.”
Personal – Married with 4 children Interests – Coaching, Music, Technology, Fitness, Humor
Education – BSEE, MBA – URI
Professional – Owner of a Digital Marketing Agency (WSI PM)

Brian Gugliotta (18U Gold – Wilson Head Coach)

Shano Oates (18U Premier – Oates – Head Coach)

Chris Leclair (16U National – LeClair- Head Coach)

Coaching Experience – 15+ years coaching softball, 11 with RI Thunder. Had the privilege to coach 12’s, 14’s and 18’s and see many former players compete at every college level.
Coaching Philosophy – Teach, develop, and support these student athletes in their journey
Personal – Married with 4 daughters. Enjoys coaching, watching, and playing all sports. Time spent with family. Learning new things.
Education – EE Wentworth, MBA-Babson