Joe Ausanio is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Marist softball team. This is Ausanio's second stint with the Red Foxes, as he was the program's pitching coach for the 2007 campaign. That year, Marist advanced to the championship round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament.

2012, saw Ausanio and the Red Foxes earn their second consecutive bid in the MAAC Conference Tournament. After falling in the semifinals, Marist wrapped up its season with a 28-27 overall record and 9-7 mark in conference play, while placing five Red Foxes on All-MAAC teams. Senior Ashley Corriss and sophomore Alyssa Zahka led the group with First Team nods. For their prowess in the classroom, a league-high 11 Red Foxes were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team.

For his success during 2011 season, Ausanio was named the MAAC Anaconda Sports Softball Coach of the Year. During the season, he led the team to a 33-22 record, including a 13-game winning streak from March 27 to April 16. The Red Foxes led the MAAC with 33 wins, 287 runs scored, 377 hits, 124 extra-base hits, 258 RBIs and a .377 on-base percentage. Two program record marks were also attained during the spring as 33 wins tied the 2006 and 1995 teams for the most victories. Of those wins, nine came of the run-rule variety, another program best.

Ausanio pitched for nine years in professional baseball for five different organizations from 1988-1997. He was first drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 30th round of the 1984 free agent draft. In 1988 he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round of the free agent draft. On June 12 of that year he signed with the Pirates and remained in the organization from 1988-1992.

Ausanio pitched for five organizations in his ten year professional career. Ausanio started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, then went to the Montreal Expos in 1993. In 1994 The New York Yankees selected Ausanio in the rule 5 major league draft where he got the opportunity to pitch in the major leagues for the New York Yankees for 2 seasons. Ausanio played with teammates Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera before becoming a free agent following the 1995 season. Ausanio then signed with the New York Mets in 1996 before finishing his career with the Colorado Rockies in 1997.

He holds a major league record of 4-1 with one save. All of Ausanio's notable firsts came during his time with the New York Yankees. His first win came on July 16, 1994 after throwing two innings of scoreless relief against the Seattle Mariners. Other notable firsts for Ausanio include his first major league strikeout, Alex Rodriguez and his first career save which came against the Detroit Tigers in 1995.

In the recent past, the New York Yankees have contacted Ausanio to throw knuckleball batting practice before facing Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Ausanio played with Wakefield while with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from 1988 thru 1992.

Currently, Ausanio works for the Hudson Valley Renegades, of the Tampa Bay Rays' minor league system where he serves as the Director of Baseball Communications and Sales Manager.

Ausanio attended Jacksonville University from 1984 through 1988 where he studied Physical Education and Recreation. Ausanio is the all time leader at Jacksonville University in saves and appearances.

Ausanio has two sons Joey, and Kevin. He resides in Marlboro, N.Y.