Tara Petrocelli enters her third year as assistant coach of the softball team in 2017-18. 

In 2017, Petrocelli contributed to the Warriors' 35-win campaign, the most victories for the school in 13 years. Merrimack reached its 14th NCAA Touranment, qualifying as the sixth seed out of the East Region. The Warriors won twice during the national tournament to reach the subregional final, knocking off nationally ranked and third-seeded Caldwell University in an elimination game. Petrocelli coached eight all-league selections, four all-region student-athletes and the first Academic All-American for the program in 22 years. 

Petrocelli comes to North Andover from Danvers High School, where she was the Head Varsity Softball Coach from 2004-2015. During her 11 years at Danvers, Petrocelli posted an impressive 198-42 record, coaching her team to eight Northeast Conference Titles. She was also a five-time Coach of the Year during her tenure with the Falcons. Petrocelli also spent time as the head coach of the Raiders Softball 18-U Gold Team.

Petrocelli currently resides in Lynn, Massachusetts.