“Due to personal reasons I will step down as the head coach of the USSSA pride this summer. I would be interested in the returning to the program in the future. I am still happy to help in any way I can with the team and USSSA. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the USSSA program for the past three years. I wish the best of luck to the organization and players.” – Beth Torina

Torina spent three seasons with the Pride. In 2010 she begain her NPF career as an assistant coach and helped lead the USSSA Pride to the NPF Championship. In 2012, she took over as the Pride head coach and led the team to a 31-12 record, winning the NPF Regular Season Title. During her tenure with the Pride, Torina was also the head coach at FIU until accepting the head coaching position at LSU before the 2012 season. In her first season at LSU, she led the Tigers to the Womens College World Series.

“I would like to thank Coach Torina for her dedicated service and leadership to the USSSA Pride. We wish her luck in her future endeavors,” said Pride Assistant General Manager Gordon Glennie.

The USSSA Pride front office will continue to work of finding a replacement for the now vacant Head Coach position so stay tuned all this week for more news and information!

The Pride will begin their season June 8th against the NY/NJ Comets at home at the Osceola County Stadium. They will be featured on ESPN3 on June 10th at 5:35PM ET.

Nashville, TN

Two Regional sites will air all games on  ESPN2 and ESPNU while six additional sites will be aired on ESPN3 and The Longhorn Network.

About USSSA Florida Pride:

THAT’S RIGHT PRIDE FANS! Have dinner with the USSSA pride in Corpus Christi Texas on Wednesday, June 12th 2013 at 7:00 pm-9:30 pm.

Location:
Holiday Inn Emerald Beach
1102 S. Shoreline
Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Please get this out to your families as soon as possible.

This is an opportunity for players, coaches, and families to dine with the Professional players. Sit at the same table with the Pro’s. Ask them one-on-one questions and get to know them.

Dinner with the Pros

Cost: $25 per person. or $300 per table of 9 (1 pro player is 10th guest)

Dinner Menu: Garden Salad w/House Dressing
Chicken Fried Steak
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Warm Dinner Rolls w/Creamery Butter
Iced Tea, Coffee, Iced Water
Chocolate Cake
Iced Tea, Salads & Dessert would be pre-set at tables.

Key Note Speakers, motivational speaking by Coaches and Players, Silent Auction, Entertainment, and more.

Seating is limited to 300 so act fast.

For more information or send payment to:
Tony Elizondo
361-944-2911
tony.elizondo@usssa.com

Requirements:

• Open to females only
• Must be 21 years of age
• Completed eligibility at a 4 year institution

Note:  If offered a contract from the USSSA Pride, the athlete will forfeit her remaining college eligibility.

Players should bring:  glove, cleats, catcher’s gear, batting helmet, bat, batting gloves and any other equipment deemed necessary by the player

Players will be judged on the following:

• Hitting skills
• Fielding
• Position specific skills
• Base running and 40 yard time
• Arm strength
• Knowledge of the game

There are no cancellations or refunds.  All participants will receive a t-shirt and ticket voucher to USSSA Pride home game at Osceola County Stadium. We look forward to seeing you there!

Haruna Sakamoto high fives a teammate after hitting a home run in the Japanese Pro League

Kissimmee, FL- The USSSA Pride signed Japanese infielder Haruna Sakamoto last week. She joins the Akron Racers and Chicago Bandits as the third NPF Franchise to add talent from the Japanese Pro League. Earlier this month, the Akron Racers signed Ayumi Karino and the Chicago Bandits signed Eri Yamada and Kazuki Watanabe.

In February, USSSA Pride General Manager Don DeDonatis got a first hand look at Sakamoto in two exhbition games against the Pride in Palm Springs, CA and came away extremely impressed. In the two games against Team Toyota of the Japanese Pro League, Sakamoto batted clean up and homered in both contests. Shortly thereafter, the decision was made after the two parties met that there was mutual interest in making Haruna part of the USSSA Pride. Sakamoto brings a different international dimension to the Pride and a power bat to go along with another solid infield glove. Sakamoto joins Danielle Lawrie and Jenn Salling (Both from Canada) on the Pride as three athletes with international ties.

Sakamoto has competed with the Japanese National Team since 2008, and also plays in the Japanese Softball League. She joins an already loaded Pride roster for the 2013 season and will be competing for a starting job come spring training. Sakamoto will continue wearing her #6 jersey with the Pride, just as she wore playing for Japanese National Team.

CORPUS CHRISTI

Professional softball returns to Corpus Christi June 13-14-15 as the National Pro Fastpitch Coastal Classic pits Cat Osterman and the USSSA Pride against the Akron Racers in a reprise of last year’s inaugural event.

But things are certainly different this time around.

It’ll be the last chance for fans of Osterman – who recently announced her retirement after the 2013 season – to see the 30-year-old international softball icon, Houston native and four-time UT All-American pitch on Texas soil. Her farewell campaign begins June 9 at home in Osceola County (Fla.) Stadium against the New York/New Jersey Comets.

The Whataburger Field event is comprised of four contests. Single games on Thursday, June 13 and Friday the 14th begin at 7:05. Saturday’s doubleheader is set for 2:30. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 26 atwhataburgerfield.com, cchooks.com and 361-561-HOOK (4665). The box office opens weekdays at 9 a.m.

Reserved-seat tickets are a great value: just $12 for adults and $6 for children 12-and-under.

“Last year’s event was a tremendous success, with almost 9,000 fans enjoying world-class softball right here in the Coastal Bend,” Hooks VP/general manager Michael Wood noted. “With NPF, you have Olympic medalists, world champions and former college superstars competing at the highest level. They’ve helped grow the sport as it continues to capture the interest of girls across the country.

“The NPF players are fantastic role models, on and off the field.”

Osterman thrice earned national collegiate player-of-the-year honors, going 38-4 for the Lady Longhorns while pitching them to three College World Series (2003-05-06). The lefty earned six gold medals internationally, including 2004 Olympic gold in Athens. She was a silver medalist four years later at the Beijing games. Her career Team USA record: 59-4.

Last season, Osterman went 9-4 with an NPF-leading 0.71 ERA for the 31-12 Pride.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi pitching coach Sarah Pauly also pitches for the Pride. Inducted into the Islanders Hall of Fame last year, Pauly won 112 games from 2002-05, including 37 as a senior. She was 8-2 with a 2.49 ERA last year and 2013 is her ninth pro campaign.

Center fielder and former Arizona Wildcat Caitlin Lowe is a 2008 Olympic silver medalist and two-time national collegiate champion.The 2012 NPF Mizuno Player of the Year hit a league-best .440 to go with a .496 on-base percentage and 12 steals. Outfielder and Alabama product Kelly Kretschman is coming off a .373/3/24 performance.

The Pride shortstop is former UCLA star Natasha Watley (.382/2/17/11 steals), a four-time All-American, Olympic gold and silver medalist and College World Series champion. Former Lady Longhorn Megan Willis (.271/5/12) is back behind the plate.

Akron catcher Sam Marder, who played at Ohio State, topped the Racers in hitting last summer at .343/8/27 and was NPF offensive player-of-the-year.

The Pride-Racers series is one of two main planks in Corpus Christi’s June softball project. The United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA) conducts the Texas State Tournament June 12-15 at various sites throughout the region. Age range of players is 7-18. These athletes compete during the day for the state championship and enjoy professional softball at Whataburger Field afterwards.

About USSSA Florida Pride:

Nashville, TN

A startup company, opening business in 2012, Hang Rite Athletics considers their brand to be a step up in athletic and sports apparel and are dedicated to comfort, style, and performance throughout their product line.

“Hang Rite Athletics is excited to be launching a relationship with the world’s very best softball players,” stated Frank Alvarez, President of Hang Rite Athletics. “We look forward to seeing the NPF professionals in Hang Rite gear, and we are optimistic about the possibilities and potential that exists in glorifying the NPF and affiliate team brands, through the licensing agreement.”

Hang Rite shoes will be offered to players for on-field competition as a member of the NPF Equipment Pool. Additional performance wear options will be available for NPF player use as well as affiliate team merchandise sales. Hang Rite is the newest addition to a sixteen-company supplier pool that exists for National Pro Fastpitch, its teams, and athletes.

“We are proud to welcome Hang Rite as an Official Supplier for the NPF”, commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. ”Broadening our supplier pool is important, but additionally to be able to add Hang Rite Athletics and their quality apparel as a licensee, will be great for increasing sales and visibility of the NPF brand.”

The NPF’s 10th Anniversary season kicks off on June 5th with the Chicago Bandits hosting the Akron Racers at The Ballpark at Rosemont and on June 9th the USSSA Pride will host opening day competition against the NY/NJ Comets in Kissimmee, FL.

About USSSA Florida Pride:

Cat Osterman decides to retire

Courtesy of Graham Hays of ESPN.com

Few athletes ever seemed in more control of their surroundings than Cat Osterman did in the pitching circle of a softball diamond. She will exit the circle the same way, at the time and in the manner of her choosing.

Osterman confirmed to espnW that she intends to retire from competition at the conclusion of her upcoming National Pro Fastpitch season with the Florida-based USSSA Pride. The announcement comes on the pitcher’s 30th birthday and more than a decade after she first arrived on the national scene as a star at the University of Texas.

“When I first joined the national team, I always thought 2012 would be it,” Osterman said. “And obviously, with [softball] getting voted out of the Olympics and the NPF being a continuing option, I stuck around. I can still throw, obviously, but I just have a passion for coaching, and I have a passion for wanting to have time to do other things. So in my heart, as much as I still love the game, my heart’s not in it to keep playing past this summer.”

Cat Osterman led Rockford to an NPF championship in 2009 as the league’s MVP. She won another title in 2010, with the Pride.

A two-time Olympian, two-time world champion and the only three-time national college player of the year, Osterman is universally considered one of the greatest pitchers in softball history. Easily identifiable by her 6-foot-2 frame and the shortened version of her given name, Catherine, the left-hander became one of the sport’s most popular stars during a period of domestic growth, marked by increased attendance and television ratings for college softball and the continued survival of a professional league. She also was one of its most visible international advocates before softball was dropped from the Olympics after the 2008 Beijing Games.

A Houston-area native who stayed in-state rather than play for one of college softball’s traditional West Coast powers, Osterman led Texas — which started its varsity softball program just five years prior to her arrival — to three appearances in the Women’s College World Series. The Longhorns twice fell one win shy of the championship round. A four-time All-American, she is the only three-time winner of USA Softball Player of the Year, college softball’s top award.

She struck out 554 batters as a freshman in 2002, at the time the second-best single-season total in NCAA history, but a mark she would beat in her junior and senior seasons. Although since passed by Monica Abbott as the NCAA’s career strikeout leader, Osterman remains the record holder for strikeout rate by a comfortable margin. Known more for the incredible spin and movement she was able to get on pitches rather than her pure speed, she is the only pitcher who ever averaged two strikeouts per inning for an entire college career, totaling 2,265 strikeouts in 1,105 2/3 innings.

She took a year off from school to compete with the United States national team that won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Osterman, the youngest player, struck out a team-high 23 batters and didn’t allow a run in 14 2/3 innings in Athens.

Her national career continued after college, when she won back-to-back world championships with Team USA in 2006 and 2010, in each case starting the gold-medal game. Her greatest international disappointment came during the 2008 Olympics, when the U.S. lost in a pitching duel against Japan in the gold-medal game.

Along with many stars of the era, she retired from international competition following the 2010 ISF World Championship in Venezuela and committed herself full-time to NPF, the four-team domestic professional league that plays a summer schedule. Prior to that, she won an NPF championship with the Rockford Thunder in 2009 and another with the Pride in 2010. She also competed professionally in Japan after leaving the national team.

Slowed at times in recent years by injuries, including surgery after the 2011 season to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome, she nonetheless remains one of the most dominant pitchers in the sport and arguably its biggest draw after Jennie Finch retired. Fully healthy last summer, she led NPF with a 0.71 ERA and finished second to Abbott in strikeouts.

Currently an assistant coach at Division II St. Edward’s University in Austin, where her former college teammate Lindsay Gardner is the head coach, Osterman is unlikely to leave softball entirely behind.

“Even when you have tough days and you think you want to get away from the game, there’s nothing I know as well as I know the game,” Osterman said. “I really enjoy giving back, and seeing other athletes be able to fall in love with the game and get better with the game. I will always remain part of it. Coaching is probably going to be my extended future. I can’t see myself giving that up. I’m very much still going to be a part of it.

“Even though I’m not playing, hopefully I can still be around the NPF and do some things to help the league and the sport grow.”

The NPF also released the news:

Fastpitch Softball Legend Cat Osterman Announces Retirement

Nashville, Tenn. – Cat Osterman, the standout left-handed pitcher for the Florida USSSA Pride, has announced plans to retire from National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) following the 2013 season. Considered one of the most popular and decorated fastpitch softball players of all-time, Osterman is a two-time Olympian and the only three-time national college player of the year.

After six seasons with the NPF, Osterman announced her retirement plans Tuesday, her 30^th birthday.

“It was a hard decision for me to decide to hang up my cleats after this season, but in my heart, I know it’s the right one,” Osterman said. “I’ve enjoyed a great run, both with the National team and the NPF and I look forward to watching the next generation of players continue to help the NPF grow. I can’t say enough about the opportunity the NPF has given all of us and I’m proud to have been part of both the Rockford Thunder and the USSSA Pride, as well as the NPF.”

Osterman joined the NPF in 2007 as a pitcher for the Rockford Thunder and later moved to the USSSA Pride in 2010. Osterman won back-to-back NPF Championships in 2009 and 2010 and was named NPF’s most valuable player for the 2009 season.

In her 2011 season, Osterman broke the team strikeout record and led the league with 156 strikeouts. She also led the league in wins with her 14-2 regular season record. Osterman was named to the Combat All NPF Team for the 2012 season, in which she achieved 134 strikeouts and a 0.71 ERA.

“Not only is Cat the best pitcher in the world, she is a consummate professional and incredible team player who is always supporting the league and her teammates,” said Don DeDonatis, General Manager of the USSSA Florida Pride. “The impact Cat has had on USSSA fastpitch, the Pride, and the NPF is immeasurable.”

In addition to her professional career, Osterman played on the USA National Team, where she won an Olympic Gold Medal in 2004 and an Olympic Silver Medal in 2008. She also helped the team win three World Cup Championships in 2006, 2007 and 2010.

Osterman spent her collegiate career at the University of Texas, where she led the team to three Women’s College World Series appearances. During her tenure at Texas, she set the NCAA strikeout record and strikeout ratio record and has the second most shutouts of all time with 85.

“The success of the NPF is due in large part to our ability to attract top-tier talent, such as Cat Osterman,” said NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf. “Cat has had a profound impact on our sport and has elevated the prominence of our League. Professional softball won’t be the same without her.”

About USSSA Florida Pride:

Softball Rampage Announces Partnership with NPF

Nashville – The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League announced today a new partnership with Softball Rampage. The agreement makes Softball Rampage, located in Columbus, OH, the Official Online Retail Partner of National Pro Fastpitch.

Softball Rampage is an online retail outlet that stocks a complete line of softball bats, softball gloves, batting gloves, softball helmets, and other equipment to meet the needs of softball players of all ages. Softball Rampage prides themselves in dealing directly with the customer and shipping orders quickly.

“NPF is always looking for ways to create opportunities for the league, its partners, our teams, and players. This partnership with Softball Rampage allows us to roll all of that into one,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. ”Since Softball Rampage is a retailer for many of our equipment supplier partners, this is a way to expose our athletes and teams as they relate to the use of particular supplier products. Along the way, we will increase overall awareness of the NPF.”

Softball Rampage, through a dedicated NPF page, will offer select NPF branded and licensed merchandise. In addition, Softball Rampage will have opportunities to sell merchandise on-site in NPF venues and at the Championship Series.

“Softball Rampage is thrilled with the opportunity to partner with National Pro Fastpitch, its teams and athletes,” stated Robert Drumm, Marketing Manager of Softball Rampage. “We are in the business of selling softball equipment and it makes sense that we would want to promote the professional level and the pro athletes. We hope to increase awareness of the NPF and to continue to be an equipment resource for tomorrow’s professionals.”

The NPF’s 10th Anniversary season kicks off on June 5th with the Chicago Bandits hosting the Akron Racers at The Ballpark at Rosemont and on June 9th the USSSA Pride will host opening day competition against the NY/NJ Comets in Kissimmee, FL.

About USSSA Florida Pride:

Marston taken 19th to the Chicago Bandits and Thomas selected 20th to the USSSA Pride

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mizzou softball seniors Jenna Marston (St. Louis, Mo.) and Chelsea Thomas (Pleasantville, Iowa) were selected 19th and 20th overall in the National Pro Fastpitch College Draft, held at Ford Theatre inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Monday. A catcher and former shortstop for Mizzou, Marston was picked by the Chicago Bandits. The two-time All-America pitcher Thomas was selected immediately after to the USSSA Pride.

Thomas has pitched to a 12-1 record in her final Tiger season and currently stands with 99 career victories at Mizzou. The school’s all-time strikeouts leader has amassed 1,048 in her career. Thomas has been an integral member of Mizzou’s last three Women’s College World Series squads (2009, 2010, 2011). Before helping the Tigers embark on their inaugural Southeastern Conference campaign, she was a two-time Big 12 Pitcher of the Year (2011, 2012).

Marston has played multiple positions in the Tiger uniform and has performed at an all-conference level, starring at shortstop to start her Mizzou career on the 2010 and 2011 WCWS squads. She transitioned to catcher for her junior season and has caught for Thomas and the Tigers’ pitching staff since. Marston currently ranks second in school history with 171 career runs scored, as well 10th all-time at Mizzou with 194 hits. She earned CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America recognition in 2012.

Fans are encouraged to check MUTigers.com and the softball team’s social media outlets, @MizzouSoftball and Facebook, for updates and information throughout the season.

About USSSA Florida Pride:

Oklahoma’s Keilani Ricketts was selected by the Pride in the first round, with the 4th Overall Pick

Keilani Ricketts was the Prides first pick, picked 4th overall by the Pride. Ricketts is a 6-2 senior pitcher out of Oklahoma. Ricketts lead the sooners to the Women’s College World Series Championship series last year and has been a member of team USA the past two summers. She is also the reigning USA softball collegiate player of the year. Entering her senior season she collected 1,255 career strikeouts and has tied a school record for 38 career shut outs. Click Here for the official Oklahoma Press Release.

Oklahoma’s Jessica Shults was selected by the Pride with the 5th Overall Pick

The Pride picked another Sooner with the selection of Jessica Shults with the 5th overall pick . Shults scored 4 runs and had 3 RBI helping Team USA win silver last summer. In 2012 at Oklahoma, Shults was named a first team NFCA All-American. She entered her senior season at Oklahoma with a school record .731 career slugging percentage and ranked second all-time at Oklahoma in HR with 54.

USSSA Pride GM Don DeDonatis was available for comment after the draft and was asked about drafting Ricketts and Shults to the Pride. “That’s what we talked about, we watched the World Series last year and that was our dream to get both of them,” USSSA Pride General Manager Don DeDonatis said on ESPN3. “They’re the two girls we wanted to land. They’re awesome on the field and just as good for us off the field.”

With the 20th overall pick, USSSA Pride selected Missouri Pitcher Chelsea Thomas

With their final pick the Pride choose Chelsea Thomas 20th overall. Thomas is a senior pitcher at Missouri. This year she’s 12-1 for the Tigers. Currently she has 99 career victories and is the schools all-time strikeouts leader with 1,048 in her career. She’s pitched in 3 Women’s College World Series(2009, 2010, 2011) and twice has been named Big 12 pitcher of the year(2011, 2012). Click Here to see the Official Missouri Tigers Press Release.

The USSSA Pride open their season at home against the NY/NJ Comets on Sunday, June 9 at 8:05PM at Osceola County Stadium.

About USSSA Florida Pride:

“We are nearing a time for passing the torch in the NPF, a time that has seen and will continue to see the Olympic stars of our game move through. Those players made courageous decisions to build the professional game of fastpitch softball for future generations,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf.

“This is the time for a new generation of athletes to accept the responsibility of continuing the commitment to the professional game. These are athletes who have gained notoriety and popularity through the immense and ever-increasing television coverage of college softball. And it is these athletes who will continue to make an impact on the growing popularity of professional softball by furthering their careers at the highest competitive level possible in the NPF.”

The NPF College Draft in 2013 is presented by BOWNET, a new supporter and supplier to the NPF in 2013. “Our College Draft is such an exciting and important time for the NPF and we are thrilled that BOWNET and its President, Jack Lucas see the value in delivering this event to softball fans across the country,” said Commissioner Kempf. “We look forward to a long lasting relationship with BOWNET and hope the opportunity continues for Draft coverage in the future.”

The NPF College Draft by BOWNET will feature 5 rounds of 4 selections for a total of 20 overall draftees in the 2013 rookie class. Drafting an athlete gives an NPF affiliate team rights to that athlete for two full seasons. Since 2010, the #1 draft pick has come out of the Southeastern Conference. Last year’s first choice overall went to the USSSA Pride, who selected LSU’s Brittany Mack.

With a last place finish in the 2012 standings, the Akron Racer’s are positioned to make the first selection in the 2013 Draft. The NY/NJ Comets, the newest team to the League, will be drafting in the second spot overall followed by the Chicago Bandits in third. The USSSA Pride, winners of the 2012 regular season Ringor Cup, will be drafting in the fourth overall position. Trades and negotiations right up until selection time, may alter the order.

The Draft will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and fans can also follow along with the event through league and teams Facebook and Twitter sites. The 2013 Draft order currently is positioned as follows:

1. Akron Racers
2. NY/NJ Comets
3. Chicago Bandits
4. USSSA Pride

5. USSSA Pride (March 2013 Trade with Akron)
6. NY/NJ Comets
7. Chicago Bandits
8. Akron Racers (March 2013 Trade with USSSA)

9. Akron Racers
10. NY/NJ Comets
11. Chicago Bandits
12. Akron Racers (March 2013 Trade with USSSA)

13. Chicago Bandits (Trade with Akron 2012)
14. NY/NJ Comets
15. Chicago Bandits
16. Akron Racers (March 2013 Trade with USSSA)

17. Akron Racers (2012 Trade, then March 2013 Trade with USSSA)
18. NY/NJ Comets
19. Chicago Bandits
20. USSSA Pride

About USSSA Florida Pride:

“National television coverage is paramount to the growth of professional softball ,” said Cheri Kempf, NPF Commissioner. “ESPN’s increased coverage of NPF shows they are confident in the tremendous potential for growth and popularity of this sport. We look forward to sharing the exciting action of professional softball with fans everywhere on ESPN platforms.”

ESPN2’s coverage will include a day/night double-header between the Akron Racers and Chicago Bandits on June 29 and a two-game stint between the USSSA Pride and NY/NJ Comets on July 20 and 21. The network will also air the final two games of NPF’s Championship series on August 23and 24.

In addition to the television coverage, ESPN3 will carry five double headers, for a total of 10 NPF games streaming on the live multi-screen sports network.

ESPN began airing the NPF in 2010, showcasing the opening game on ESPN2 and expanding  in 2011 to include the championship game.

NPF Television & Live Stream Schedule

Date             Time (EST)                           Game                            Network

June 10          5:35 p.m.        NY / NJ Comets at USSSA Pride       ESPN3

June 10          8:35 p.m.        NY / NJ Comets at USSSA Pride       ESPN3

June 15          5:35 p.m.        Chicago Bandits at USSSA Pride       ESPN3

June 15          8:35 p.m.        Chicago Bandits at USSSA Pride       ESPN3

June 29          1:00 p.m.        Chicago Bandits at Akron Racers     ESPN2

June 29          8:00 p.m.       Chicago Bandits at Akron Racers      ESPN2

June 29          5:35 p.m.        NY / NJ Comets at USSSA Pride        ESPN3

June 29          8:35 p.m.        NY / NJ Comets at USSSA Pride       ESPN3

July 20           2:00 p.m.        USSSA Pride at NY / NJ Comets       ESPN2

July 21            3:00 p.m.        USSSA Pride at NY / NJ Comets       ESPN2

July 25            5:35 p.m.        Akron Racers at USSSA Pride            ESPN3

July 25            8:35 p.m.        Akron Racers at USSSA Pride            ESPN3

July 30            5:35 p.m.        Chicago Bandits at USSSA Pride       ESPN3

July 30            8:35 p.m.        Chicago Bandits at USSSA Pride       ESPN3

August 23      5:00 p.m.        NPF Championship Series    ESPN2

August 24      5:00 p.m.        NPF Championship Series    ESPN2

About USSSA Florida Pride:

Nashville, TN – National Pro Fastpitch announced today the schedule for the 2013 Championship Series. The Series will return to The Ballpark at Rosemont in Rosemont, IL for the second year in a row and the final year of a two year contract for the Championship.

The Championship Series is the league’s culmination of the regular season and includes all four of the affiliate league teams. The 2013 Championship Series will begin on Thursday August 22 with the finals on Saturday August 24. For the first time since 2009, the Championship format will change. The two notable changes include eliminating the best of 3 structure from the first 2 rounds of competition and reducing the length of the Championship from 4 days to 3.

The Championship Series structure seeds teams based on their regular season finish. Opening day of the Series, Thursday August 22, will feature one game only at 7:00 pm CST. That game will pit the #4 seed against the #3 seed with high stakes. Only the winner will continue Series play. The loser of Thursday’s game will be eliminated.

Friday’s lineup will open up at 5:30 pm CST with the winner of Thursday’s game facing off against the #2 seed in the Series. The loser of Friday’s opening game is eliminated. The winner of Game 2 will move into the Championship’s Final Series, which is a best of 3 series against the Championship’s #1 seed. Game 1 of the Final Series is slated for an 8:30 start time on Friday night August 23.

The Championship’s Final Series will continue Saturday with Game 2 at 4:00 pm CST. Game 3 of the Final Series, the “if necessary” game, if needed, is scheduled for 7:00 pm CST.

Sunday will be a provisional rain date in the case of inclement weather throughout the Series.

“We continue to try and perfect the Championship format,” stated NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf, “and this is another version that certainly puts more weight into the seeding. I think that is something our owner’s were really looking for, and at this point, compacting the Series into a 3 day event, also makes good sense for the League.”

Since 2011, ESPN has carried the Championship game of the Series on ESPN2 and ESPN3. The 2013 Series is again expected to have national television coverage with an announcement regarding that coverage expected in the near future.

The NPF celebrates its 10th Anniversary in the 2013 season. Opening Day is June 5, when the Chicago Bandits will host the Akron Racers for a 4 game series that lasts through June 8. Defending Ringor Cup Champions, USSSA Pride will open up on June 9 as they host the NY/NJ Comets in Kissimmee, FL. That series will last through June 11. The four league teams are scheduled to play an 88 game regular season schedule before heading to Rosemont, for the Championship Series.

In 2012, DiSalvatore surged for the Diamonds in a season that saw her hit .331 with 9 homeruns and 23 RBI. She finished in the top 10 of the NPF in average and homeruns, and 11th in RBI.

“It’s an honor to be part of such a prestigious team, as I looked up to a lot of these players when I was younger. I am so excited now to be wearing the same jersey as them,” DiSalvatore said shortly after signing at USSSA Pride Headquarters.

“I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to have DiSalvatore join the USSSA Pride” stated Don DeDonatis USSSA Pride General Manager. “Trying to replace the best left handed hitter to ever play this game is a tall order to fill” continued DeDonatis, referring to former Olympic Gold Medalist and NPF MVP Jessica Mendoza. “DiSalvatore is a proven player that brings, not only an exceptional batting average to the Pride, but the ability to hit for power as well. We are all very excited to have a player of this caliber join the USSSA Pride Family”.

DiSalvatore will fit into an already extremely disciplined Pride lineup, and already has a lot in common with her new team; she wants to win. “My ultimate goal with this team is to bring the title home in 2013.”

About USSSA Florida Pride:

Nashville, TN –

“Professional fastpitch softball and Ringor have had a long standing relationship due to the dedication and commitment to the sport by Ringor Co-Founder, Carol Ihlenberg. We are extremely happy to have Ringor shoes and apparel back on the field in 2013 and we are looking forward to helping Ringor continue to reach the fastpitch softball community with their high quality products,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf.

Ringor, a company that began its business in the shoe category, has grown over the years to include socks, apparel, equipment bags and other equipment items. Ringor is best known for the patented cleat pattern and the comfort their shoes provide for softball and baseball athletes. Ringor also broke ground in the shoe category by creating a cleat, spike, and training shoe that implemented a “pitcher’s toe” – a shoe specifically aimed at fastpitch softball pitchers.

“Every girl playing fastpitch softball has dreamed of being the best,” stated Kirk Ihlenburg, Ringor CEO. “When these young girls look into the future, they want to see themselves playing at the professional level. Ringor has been a part of these dreams for 30 years. It is a privilege to partner with the NPF and support the women who have made their own dreams come true.”

National Pro Fastpitch will kick off the 2013 season on June 5 with each of its four affiliate teams competing in an 88 game regular season before the culminating Championship Series August 22-24.

Nashville, Tenn.- National Pro Fastpitch announced final plans today for the 2013 College Draft. The Draft will be held in downtown Nashville, Tennessee on April 1 at 8:00 pm EST and will take place at the Ford Theatre located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Softball fans across the country will be able to share in every minute of the Draft through a live broadcast presented by NPF on ESPN3.

“We are nearing a time for passing the torch in the NPF, a time that has seen and will continue to see the Olympic stars of our game move through. Those players made courageous decisions to build the professional game of fastpitch softball for future generations,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “This is the time for a new generation of athletes to accept the responsibility of continuing the commitment to the professional game. These are athletes who have gained notoriety and popularity through the immense and ever-increasing television coverage of college softball. And it is these athletes who will continue to make an impact on the growing popularity of professional softball by furthering their careers at the highest competitive level possible in the NPF.”

The NPF College Draft in 2013 is presented by BOWNET, a new supporter and supplier to the NPF in 2013. “Our College Draft is such an exciting and important time for the NPF and we are thrilled that BOWNET and its President, Jack Lucas see the value in delivering this event to softball fans across the country,” said Commissioner Kempf. “We look forward to a long lasting relationship with BOWNET and hope the opportunity continues for Draft coverage in the future.”

The NPF College Draft by BOWNET will feature 5 rounds of 4 selections for a total of 20 overall draftees in the 2013 rookie class. Drafting an athlete gives an NPF affiliate team rights to that athlete for two full seasons. Since 2010, the #1 draft pick has come out of the Southeastern Conference. Last year’s first choice overall went to the USSSA Pride, who selected LSU’s Brittany Mack.

With a last place finish in the 2012 standings, the Akron Racer’s are positioned to make the first selection in the 2013 Draft. The NY/NJ Comets, the newest team to the League, will be drafting in the second spot overall followed by the Chicago Bandits in third. The USSSA Pride, winners of the 2012 regular season Ringor Cup, will be drafting in the fourth overall position. Trades and negotiations right up until selection time, may alter the order.

The Draft will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and fans can also follow along with the event through league and teams Facebook and Twitter sites. The 2013 Draft order currently is positioned as follows:

1. Akron Racers
2. NY/NJ Comets
3. Chicago Bandits
4. USSSA Pride

5. Akron Racers
6. NY/NJ Comets
7. Chicago Bandits
8. USSSA Pride

9. Akron Racers
10. NY/NJ Comets
11. Chicago Bandits
12. USSSA Pride

13. Chicago Bandits (Trade with Akron 2012)
14. NY/NJ Comets
15. Chicago Bandits
16. USSSA Pride

17. USSSA Pride(Trade with Akron 2012)
18. NY/NJ Comets
19. Chicago Bandits
20. USSSA Pride

About National Pro Fastpitch

National Pro Fas

During the week the Pride played their first game against Cal Baptist University, who arguably gave the Pride their toughest contest of the week, with the Pride winning 5-2. Caitlin Lowe started right where she left off in 2012, going 2-3 with 2 singles in the game. Kelsey Bruder was a bright spot as well for the Pride, going 2-3 on the day with 2 singles and 2 RBI.  Andrea Duran, Lauren Lappin, and Nikia Williams all had a hit in the victory for the Pride.

The Prides next game was against the University of Washington, where they rolled to an 8-3 victory. Caitlin Lowe continued the hot streak going 4-5 with a home run and 4 runs scored. Ashley Charter got off to a good start in the game going 2-4 with a walk and 2 doubles. Jenn Salling had somewhat of an odd day at the plate, going 1-4 with 3 runs scored, having reached on a walk and twice reached on error.

For the third and final game the Pride took to Paris, CA to face off against Team Toyota; a professional fast pitch team out of Japan. The Pride won in a lopsided victory 10-2. Ashley Charters went 2-3 with a home run and 2 runs scored. Kelsey Bruder went 1-3 with a double and a run scored. The game was a tight 2-1 game until the Pride had a huge 4th inning, scoring 5 runs and then scoring 3 in the 5th, Jamee Juarez went 2-3 for the Pride, hitting a home run and scoring two runs.

See the article here at http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/insider-lsus-beth-torina-interview/#EYqc2d7w5DfslhL2.99

Nashville, TN –

The regular season will open on June 5 when Akron travels to Chicago for a 4 game series. A day later, all four teams will be in action as the series of NY/NJ Comets at USSSA kicks off. This will be inaugural action for the NY/NJ Comets as they enter into their first year of competition in the NPF.

A season ago, the USSSA Pride dominated regular season action with a 31-12 record to take home the Ringor Cup regular season title. The Chicago Bandits finished second overall in 2012 at 25-19, and the Carolina Diamonds brought home a third place overall finish at 17-26. Akron will be looking to recover from a 14-30 record and fourth place finish of a year ago.

The NPF celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2013 as the four affiliate teams will square off in more than 13 different venues. The 2013 action will culminate with the NPF Championship Series to be held in August at the Ballpark at Rosemont in Rosemont, IL. Details regarding the 2013 Championship will be forthcoming in the near future.

NPF 2013 Regular Season Schedule

June 5                    Akron @ Chicago

June 6                    Akron @ Chicago

June 6                    NY/NJ @ USSSA

June 7                    Akron @ Chicago

June 7                    NY/NJ @ USSSA

June 8                    Akron @ Chicago

June 8                    NY/NJ @ USSSA

June 9                    NY/NJ @ USSSA

June 13                 Akron @ USSSA

June 13                 Chicago @ NY/NJ

June 14                                 Akron @ USSSA

June 14                 Chicago @ NY/NJ

June 15                 Akron @ USSSA (DH)

June 15                 Chicago @ NY/NJ

June 16                 Chicago @ NY/NJ

June 19                 Akron @ NY/NJ

June 20                 Akron @ NY/NJ

June 20                 USSSA @ Chicago

June 21                 Akron @ NY/NJ

June 21                 USSSA @ Chicago

June 22                 Akron @ NY/NJ

June 22                 USSSA @ Chicago

June 23                 USSSA @ Chicago

June 27                 Chicago @ Akron

June 27                 NY/NJ @ USSSA

June 28                 Chicago @ Akron

June 28                                 NY/NJ @ USSSA

June 29                 Chicago @ Akron

June 29                 NY/NJ @ USSSA (DH)

June 30                 Chicago @ Akron

July 3                     NY/NJ @ Chicago

July 4                     NY/NJ @ Chicago

July 4                     USSSA @ Akron

July 5                     NY/NJ @ Chicago

July 5                     USSSA @ Akron

July 6                     NY/NJ @ Chicago

July 6                     USSSA @ Akron

July 7                     USSSA @ Akron

July 10                   NY/NJ @ Akron

July 11                   NY/NJ @ Akron

July 11                   Chicago @ USSSA

July 12                   NY/NJ @ Akron

July 12                   Chicago @ USSSA

July 13                   NY/NJ @ Akron

July 13                   Chicago @ USSSA (DH)

July 14                   NY/NJ @ Akron

July 18                   Akron @ Chicago

July 19                   Akron @ Chicago

July 19                   USSSA @ NY/NJ

July 20                   Akron @ Chicago

July 20                   USSSA @ NY/NJ (DH)

July 21                   Akron @ Chicago

July 21                   USSSA @ NY/NJ

July 24                   Akron @ USSSA

July 24                   NY/NJ @ Chicago

July 25                   Akron @ USSSA (DH)

July 25                   NY/NJ @ Chicago

July 26                   Akron @ USSSA

July 26                   NY/NJ @ Chicago

July 27                   NY/NJ @ Chicago

July 29                   Chicago @ USSSA

July 29                   NY/NJ @ Akron

July 30                   Chicago @ USSSA (DH)

July 30                   NY/NJ @ Akron

July 31                   Chicago @ USSSA

July 31                   NY/NJ @ Akron

August 1                                Chicago @ NY/NJ

August 2                                Chicago @ NY/NJ

August 2                                USSSA @ Akron

August 3                                Chicago @ NY/NJ (DH)

August 3                                USSSA @ Akron

August 4                                USSSA @ Akron

August 5                                USSSA @ Akron

August 8                                Chicago @ Akron

August 8                NY/NJ @ USSSA

August 9                                Chicago @ Akron

August 9                NY/NJ @ USSSA

August 10              Chicago @ Akron

August 10              NY/NJ @ USSSA (DH)

August 11              Chicago @ Akron

August 14              USSSA @ Chicago

August 15              USSSA @ Chicago

August 15              NY/NJ @ Akron

August 16              USSSA @ Chicago

August 16              NY/NJ @ Akron

August 17              USSSA @ Chicago

August 17              NY/NJ @ Akron

August 18              NY/NJ @ Akron

The USSSA Pride will be playing at the 2013 Cathedral City Collegiate Classic. The Classic is the largest and most competitive Division 1 softball event outside of the NCAA post season. This tournament features 35 top D1 programs. All held at one complex with schools from the PAC 12, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, ACC and many others.  The Tournament kicks off February 21st when the USSSA Pride play Cal Baptist and the University of Washington. For full tournament information please visit palmspringssoftballclassic.com. The Pride’s tentative roster for the Collegiate Classic will be:

The Comets were granted rights to expiring contracts for players who were on the roster of the former Carolina Diamonds in 2012, whose franchise was terminated following the conclusion of the 2012 championship season. In addition, the Comets will assume the second position in each round of the upcoming player draft (the position vacated as a result of the termination of the Carolina franchise).

Michael Neuwirth is the President and acting General Manager of the newly formed NY/NJ Comets and will be handling the day to day operations of the team.

“I am thrilled to be part of NPF and bring professional softball to the Northeast,” Neuwirth said. “Having daughters who play softball, I gained an appreciation for the sport as a parent, coach and fan.”

“Softball has had a positive influence on our family. It began in 2008 when our daughters met their idols Jessica Mendoza, Jennie Finch, and the rest of the USA Olympians. The look of joy when our daughters received autographs planted the seed for what eventually grew into the NY/NJ Comets,” Neuwirth continued. “Today, those Olympians and many more elite athletes are playing in the NPF. These women inspire our youth both on and off the field. The mission of the Comets is to showcase these extraordinary role models in the Northeast and to promote the female spirit through softball.”

Fans in the Northeastern market will have many opportunities to see the Comets as they bring 16 home games to the region in 2013. Those games will be played in minor league baseball venues that will be converted for regulation NPF competition. Tickets will be available beginning February 21, 2013, and may be purchased through the Comets Pro Softball website or on any game day at the venue location box office.

“The League is thrilled to deliver professional fastpitch competition to the Northeastern market once again,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “This is an area that has always supported the sport of fastpitch softball and continues to produce top quality players in our sport. I believe the fan base that exists here, will support the overall growth of this game at the professional level.”

The NPF is set to celebrate in 2013 its tenth regular season, with championship play opening in June. The Comets join the Akron Racers, the League’s most experienced professional organization celebrating a 12th season of professional competition in 2013; the winningest organization in NPF history, the Chicago Bandits; and the USSSA Florida Pride, an organization that boasts the most decorated and accomplished roster, touting 9 former Olympians. Schedule details for the 2013 season are set to be released mid-February.

WHEN: Sunday March 10, 2013

WHERE: Woodley Park

6335 Woodley Ave

Van Nuys, CA 91406

RACE DAY AGENDA
7:30 AM Registration Open
8:10 AM Opening Remarks
8:15 AM National Anthem & Warm-up
8:30 AM Race Begins
9:45 AM Race prizes
10:00AM Silent Auction closes

Throughout the day there will be raffles & silent auction on great items. Come out and have a good start to your Sunday!

REGISTER HERE

** Pre-Registration closes Friday March 8,2013 11:59pm

Sponsor, vendor and volunteer opportunities are available! For information, please contact Shauna Edmund

For additional race details visit here

For general questions please email info@natashawatley.com

MAKE YOUR NWF DONATION TODAY!

Won’t be able to attend the NWF 5k Race on March 10th, but would like to support NWF?  No problem!

Click HERE to make a donation to NWF and it’s efforts now.

 Want to learn more about Natasha Watley Foundation?  

www.natashawatley.com

Whipple’s resume includes officiating and administration of umpires at various levels of professional, collegiate, and amateur competition for both women and men. In the last 5 years alone, Whipple has umpired in 2 NPF Championship Series’,” acted as Co-AUC for the Florida market, and served as an advisor on-site for the 2012 Championship Series. At the NCAA level, Whipple has been the UIC of the Division III National Championship, A-Sun Championship, and CUSA Championship. He umpired inside 7 separate Division I conferences including the SEC and ACC, twice was assigned an NCAA Division I Regional and twice assigned an NCAA Division I Super Regional. In addition, Whipple served a 3 year stint on the NCAA Rules Committee, has been a contributing clinician to developmental umpire programs and has evaluated at various levels.

“Putting the very best officials in the game on the field for NPF competition is a goal that we are continually committed to reaching and maintaining,” stated NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “That goal begins with a high quality supervisor who is respected in the game and will continue to lead NPF officiating in a positive direction. Ed has an impressive resume and the type of background we are looking for to make a positive impression on the officiating reflected inside the league.”

The league Supervisor of Officials directly oversees the appointment of Area Umpire Coordinators who are responsible for scheduling on-field umpires for each independent market. Those assignments are approved by the Supervisor who continually tracks umpire evaluations throughout the season. The Supervisor is also responsible for nominating Championship Series umpires for ownership approval and subsequently assigning those umpire positions within the Series. Additionally, throughout the year, the Supervisor is responsible for evaluating new rules, relaying pertinent information to League Management Committee members, and positively influencing the game of professional softball from an umpiring and rules perspective.

“It is an honor to accept the opportunity to combine my love of the game and my passion for umpiring with the privilege to work with the NPF staff, professional owners and coaches while developing an umpiring community worthy of working with the best fast-pitch softball players in the world,” commented Whipple. “I welcome the effort and activity necessary to continue the growth of the league and look forward to an exciting season.”

Whipple’s term begins immediately and lasts through December 2014. The National Pro Fastpitch league is set to kick off its tenth season in 2013.

ATHENS, GA, Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/

The Camarillo, California native was a four-time First-Team All-American for her alma mater’s Softball Program, Stanford University, while also serving as a starter for the USA Softball Women’s National Team from 2001 through 2010. During her tenure with the USA Olympic Softball Team, Mendoza captured the Gold Medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games as well as a Silver Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Mendoza is currently the starting Left-Fielder for the National Pro Fastpitch USSSA Florida Pride where she earned the league’s MVP honors in 2011 among many other accolades.

“I am so excited to be a part of the EvoShield family!” said Mendoza. “I have been using the product for the past three years and look forward to continue help developing the BEST products for female athletes to be successful.”

Mendoza, who is a right-handed thrower that bats left, wears the EvoShield Protective Batter’s Elbow Guard, the latest advancement in hitting protection, every time at bat to protect her throwing arm.

When not competing on the diamond, Mendoza has been active on a number of other sports-related fronts. In addition to her work as a color analyst for sports network ESPN, she is a past president (2009-2010) of the Women’s Sports Foundation and also serves as an Athletic Ambassador for Team Darfur and Right to Play. Mendoza’s most recent accomplishment was this year when she was chosen by the Secretary of State to be an Athlete Ambassador for the U.S. State Department where her duties consist of traveling abroad to help strengthen the United States relations through sport with her reputable background and platform.

“Softball players and fans all over the world look up to Jessica Mendoza for her accomplishments both on and off the field,” said Ashley Raborn, Director of Softball for EvoShield. “Her knowledge and love for the game will help us build EvoShield Softball in to a global brand with players and fans of all ages and skill level. We are very excited for Jessica to officially join the EvoShield family as we have had the pleasure of knowing her as a player and a friend of EvoShield for several years.”

“Gel-to-Shell”
Offering personalized protection for today’s athletes, EvoShield’s Gel-To-Shell Technology eliminates “one size fits all” protection and guarantees a perfect fit for every athlete. The chosen Protective Gear for over 275 Professional and Collegiate teams worldwide, EvoShield is thinner, lighter, and stronger than traditional foam and plastic gear. Protect your Advantage with EvoShield’s Game-Changing Protective Gear.

In addition to the Elbow Guard, EvoShield protective gear for softball includes Wrist and Forearm Guards, Catcher’s Thumb Guards, Chest/Heart Guards, Batter’s Leg Guards, and more. More than 60 NCAA softball teams and all four NPF teams – the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Carolina Diamonds and USSSA Pride – use EvoShield Protective Gear.

EvoShield also safeguards some of the biggest individual names in sports. Mendoza is joining a growing “EvoArmy” that includes MLB players Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies), Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh Pirates), Gordon Beckham (Chicago White Sox) and Yadier Molina (St. Louis Cardinals), NHL stars Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes) and Blake Geoffrion (Montreal Canadiens), and Heisman winner and second round draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins).

Mendoza’s Super Stats
Called “the best hitter on the planet” by her ESPN colleague Graham Hays, Mendoza was the 2006 USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year and in 2008 was recognized as the Women’s Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year, from the team sport category. She is both a three-time world champion and three-time World Cup champion in softball, as well as a two-time Pan American Games Gold Medalist.

At Stanford, Mendoza became only the fifth NCAA athlete to be named first-team All- American four years in a row. She was the Pac-10 Softball Newcomer of the Year in 1999 and Player of the Year the following season. She still owns several Cardinal single-season softball records, including batting average (.475), hits (94), stolen bases (31) and runs (71). She also is No. 1 in career home runs at the school, with 50. In addition, Mendoza is currently fifth in the NCAA in career doubles, with 70. She was a three-time Stanford Female Athlete of the Year and a first-team Academic All-American (in 2002). She was inducted Nov. 9, 2012, into Stanford’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mendoza broke into the NPF with the Arizona Heat in 2005 and hit .491 as a rookie. Five years later, her USSSA Pride have been very successful as the 2010 NPF Cowles Cup Champion and Regular Season Champions in both 2011 and 2012. This past season, Mendoza recorded a .337 average with nine home runs and 39 RBIs, leading the Pride to its third straight championship series.

Mendoza, who is of Mexican descent, was inducted in 2006 into the Latin Sports Hall of Fame. In 2008, she was named to the Canada Cup All-Star Team.

Mendoza joined ESPN in 2007 as a college softball analyst and now also covers MLB and college football games for the network. In addition, she is an online contributor to espnW.com, which connects female fans to the sports they love and follow, and serves on the advisory board for the website.

EvoShield is an Official Protective Gear Supplier of Major League Baseball and its products are part of the MLB Authentic Collection. EvoShield is also a Promotional Partner of the National Pro Fastpitch League. EvoShield’s Game Changing Protective Apparel – including protective gear for softball, baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey and outdoor recreation – is sold nationally in a variety of retail outlets and comes with a perfect-fit guarantee. For more information, visit www.evoshield.com.

National Pro Fastpitch

FROM THE NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Kissimmee, FL- National Pro Fastpitch Affiliate Team Owner’s exited the annual ownership meetings Sunday after ushering in many significant changes for the upcoming 2013 season. The annual meeting was held over the past weekend in Kissimmee, FL at USSSA Headquarters.

“Our annual meetings are a time for the NPF as an organization to come together and discuss not only the past season, but particularly, the future – 2013 and beyond,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “We continue to look to the future of professional softball with optimism and I think that was reflected in the attitude and cooperation on the part of each one of our current owners.”

The League’s hallmark event Championship Series was an agenda item with much focus following the 2012 Series which did not name a champion due to a rainout of its final day. Commissioner Kempf cited at the time of the decision, in the absence of proper policies, she did not choose to name a champion “through an administrative act.”

Based on that outcome and the subsequent decision by the Commissioner, a five person committee was convened shortly after the championship to examine the current policies and procedures in place specifically for the Championship Series. Made up of neutral parties, the committee took nearly two months to examine and review the current manual. Prior to the owner’s meetings, the committee submitted a thorough revision of the Series Manual with recommendations for adjustments, additions, and changes. The owner’s reviewed each committee recommendation and discussed the permanent changes which will be finalized by year’s end, according to NPF.

“Our ultimate goal was to define in our Championship Policies the manner in which a champion would be declared,” commented Akron Racer’s President and GM, Joey Arrietta. “The independent committee provided us with the insight needed to objectively evaluate the event. The owners were unanimous in their conclusion to move forward and begin preparing for the 2013 series.”

Additionally, regarding the Championship Series, owners voted on re-formatting Series brackets, the determination of “home” and “visiting” teams within Series competition, and site locations for 2014 and beyond. These details are all expected to be released with Championship Series manual revisions by years.

Other agenda items, additions, and changes to NPF policies are listed below:

• Voted in favor of eliminating the international tie breaker in regular season play. (The tie breaker does not currently exist for Championship play either, so this move will essentially remove the tie breaker usage from NPF competition completely.)
• Voted in favor of limiting bus transportation on a single day to match the regulations of the Department of Transportation, which currently is a maximum of 10 hours.
• More clearly defined the Franchise Player Tag, making it permanent for the year it is designated. Once FPT is assigned to a player, it is exhausted for that particular year and cannot be changed or transferred. In the case of a trade, the FPT remains exhausted and cannot be reassigned to any other player(s).
• Voted in favor of naming an exclusive supplier in two separate categories of headwear: hats/visors and head bands. (Supplier announcement is forthcoming)
• Voted in favor of changing the Draft order beginning in the 2014 Draft: Draft order will remain based on regular season finish of the previous year, but will alternate every other round from last place to first place in the opening round to first place to last place in the second round, and so on.
• Voted in favor of defining the penalty for passing a draft pick. The penalty for “passing” beginning in the 2013 Draft, will be loss of the offending team’s first draft selection in the subsequent year.
• Voted to increase Team rights to drafted players. Rights to players will extend from the current policy to an additional year. Formerly, a Team held the rights to a drafted player until September 1 following the Draft. The new policy gives the team the right to a drafted player until a year from September 1 following the draft in which the player was chosen. Additionally, following that period, any team that picks up the drafted player, must compensate the drafting team an amount of $3,000.
• Voted to allow $5,000 towards the purchase of rings for the regular season champions. (The league currently allows the same amount towards rings for the Championship Series Champions, but this will also provide the sum for the purchase of rings for the regular season champions)
• The College Draft dates are not yet confirmed for 2013 but are expected to be significantly later, giving teams a better opportunity to evaluate college seniors who are eligible for the draft.
• Opening Day for the 2013 season is set for June 6.

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

The NPF All-Stars, in its third season of the Back to School Tour, is 58-3 overall and 17-2 this year. The NPF squad included former Bruins GiOnna DiSalvatore and Andrea Duran. DiSalvatore went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk, while Duran drew a bases-loaded walk and scored a run in three plate appearances.

NPF scored all six of its runs in the first inning before making an out. Back-to-back walks to Ashley Charters and Kelsey Bruder, and a bunt single by Kelly Kretschman, brought up DiSalvatore, who singled to center to score Charters to make it 1-0. A bases-loaded walk to Duran made it 2-0 and Charlotte Morgan followed with a grand slam to left to put NPF up 6-0.

Carda, who struck out one in four innings and allowed six runs, six hits and three walks, settled down after that. The sophomore retired 10 of the next 12 batters.

Hall gave up five hits and a walk, but did not allow NPF to cross home plate.

The Bruins started their comeback attempt in the fifth. With one out, freshman Britney Rodriguez reached on a fielding error by Morgan at first. After a sacrifice bunt by senior Devon Lindvall moved sophomore pinch-runner Sam Duran to second, Bates skied a high fly ball that landed over the center-field wall to make it 6-2.

In the sixth, the Bruins added another unearned run. Sophomore Stephany LaRosa led off with a double to right-center. Two outs later, she moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball to cut the deficit to 6-3.

UCLA had six hits, as Bates and freshman Mysha Sataraka each recorded two hits. Carda had the other hit.

The Bruins conclude their Fall schedule with scrimmages against Cypress College on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. and Long Beach State on Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. at Easton Stadium. Admission is free for both games.

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

The Aztecs committed six errors in the contest and were outhit by a 14-9 margin. The NPF All-Stars, who are made up of some of the top players from the National Pro Fastpitch league, went 41-1 last year in the Back to School Tour.

SDSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one inning on a two-run homer by junior Hayley Miles (Antelope, Calif.). After the NPF All-Stars tied the game up in the top of the third, San Diego State answered with three runs in the bottom half, highlighted by a two-run home run by senior Kamerin May (Corona, Calif.).

The NPF All-Stars, however, took advantage of numerous Aztec errors and timely hits to score the next 13 runs in the game.

SDSU got the final two runs of the contest in the bottom of the seventh, including an RBI single by senior Kristin May (Corona, Calif.) before its mini-rally was thwarted.

Sophomore Kayla Jordan (San Diego/Bonita Vista HS) was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base to pace the San Diego State offense and junior Dominique Dinner (Monterey, Calif.) added two hits.

Miles had a two-run homer, two runs and a stolen base, while the May twins combined to go 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

Freshmen Leia Ruiz (triple, run) and Monica Downey (San Diego/Madison HS) each added a hit for the Aztecs.

Redshirt senior Rebecca Arbino (Clovis, Calif.) took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) in six hits and two walks over four innings against the tough-hitting NPF offense. She struck out three.

Junior Lorena Bauer (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief without allowing an earned run (two unearned runs), while striking out three against three hits and three walks. Freshman Danielle O’Toole (Upland, Calif.) scattered seven runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk over 1/3 innings. She struck out one.

Ashley Charters led the All-Stars at the plate by going 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBIS, while Kelsey Bruder (2-for-4, R, RBI), Andrea Duran (2-for-5, 2 R, RBI), Angeline Quiocho (2-for-4, R, RBI) and Nikia Williams (2-for-3, 2 R, RBI) each had two hits apiece.

NPF pitcher Kristina Thorson was touched up for five runs (four earned) on six hits over four innings, but still got the win. Jamee Juarez pitched the final three frames and yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits, while striking out six.

SDSU begins its 54-game spring schedule, which includes 18 contests against 2012 NCAA tournament tames, from Feb. 7-9 at Arizona State’s Kajikawa Classic. Two of San Diego State’s five games at the classic will be against 2012 NCAA tournament squads, including Northwestern (Feb. 8) and WCWS qualifier Arizona (Feb. 9). The Aztecs also play Creighton (Feb. 7), Stephen F. Austin (Feb. 8) and Western Michigan (Feb. 9).

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

Shelby Babcock held the NPF All-Stars without a hit for the first two innings, but a nine-run third began a 21-hit, 23-run onslaught. Babcock pitched two inning and faced seven batters in the third. Babcock allowed seven runs on five hits while walking three. She was relieved by Nancy Bowling who pitched three innings and allowed eight runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out one. Estela Piñon allowed eight runs on seven hits in her two innings of work.

NPF knocked six home runs in the contest; Nikia Williams and Angeline Quiocho hit two each. Quiocho and Ashley Charters led the All-Stars with six RBI apiece.

Babcock did not allow a hit until the third inning when she allowed seven hits and seven runs without getting an out. She was relieved by Bowling who entered in the game with no one out and the bases loaded. Bowling allowed three hits and two runs of her own in the nine-run third.

Caitlin Lowe, Charters, Kelly Kretschman, Kelsey Bruder and Kaylyn Castillo drove in runs in the inning as the NPF All-Stars sent 12 batters to the plate in the frame. Charters had two separate RBI hits in the inning.

In the home half of the third, Arizona got a run back when Alex Lavine walked and Chelsea Suitos singled to put runners on the corners for Hallie Wilson. The sophomore hit a comebacker to the circle but first baseman GiOnna DeSalvatore was pulled off the bag allowing Lavine to score from third.

NPF added to its lead in the fourth with a solo home run from Williams and a two-run bomb from Charlotte Morgan to make it 12-1.

In the fifth, Williams homered again, a solo homer, to give the All-Stars a 13-1 advantage.

A two-run blast off the bat of Quiocho chased Bowling in the sixth. Piñon entered and got the next three batters to end the frame.

In the seventh, a pair of infield hits put two on for Andrea Duran who singled up the middle to extend NPF’s lead to 16-1. After a walk to load the bases, Quicoho hit a grand slam, her second homer of the game, giving her six RBI. Charters then launched a three-run home run for NPF’s 20th hit of the night to make it 23-1 All-Stars.

Arizona wraps up its fall season with its annual Alumni Game on Nov. 9 at 8:30 p.m. MST.

For continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat Softball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com. Be sure to follow Arizona Softball on Twitter (@UA_Softball) and Facebook (ArizonaSoftball).

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

A crowd of 1,285 witnessed the exhibition contest continuing the community’s support of world class softball.

Sophomore ace pitcher Jordan Wallace earned the win in the circle for the Cajuns, throwing all seven innings, giving up four runs on eight hits.

Louisiana’s six hits came off the bat of six different players. The biggest hit of the night was Myers’ deep double to left field in the bottom of the sixth that brought home the winning run.

Myers, who posted a team-best two RBI’s, was named the Ragin’ Cajuns “Star of the Game” presented by Wilson. Ashley Charters, who scored two runs and drew two walks, was named the NPF’s “Star of the Game” presented by Schutt.

It was only the NPF’s third loss during the three-year history of the Back to School Tour, which is now 57-games old. UL joins Oklahoma (2011) and Michigan (2012) as the only schools to defeat the NPF All-Stars.

The NPF got on the board in the first inning as Jenn Salling walked, advanced to second off a wild pitch, and scored on an Andrea Duran RBI sacrifice fly. Senior centerfielder Brianna Cherry made a diving catch, minimizing the damage and holding the All-Stars to just one run.

UL came back with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the first inning as Myers walked and freshman Sara Corbello hit a towering homerun into the right center bleachers.

The NPF tied the game 2-2 in the second after Francesca Enea and Kelsey Bruder both drew walks, advanced off an Ashley Charter’s single, and scored off a Wallace wild pitch. Wallace was able to settle down and retired the next two batters.

The All-Stars took the lead in the top of the fourth off Kelly Kretschman’s single to right field, bringing home Charters who walked and advanced to second off Jenn Salling’s bunt single.

The NPF added to their lead in the top of the sixth after Kelsey Bruder shoved a single up the middle to bring home Charters who reached on a fielding error.

DiSalvatore and Duran continued the rally, picking up back-to-back singles. Wallace was able to retire the next batter and hold the NPF to a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Freshman Shellie Landry started the Cajuns sixth inning rally with a double to right centerfield and Matte Haack’s single to left advanced her to third. The All-Stars replaced starting pitcher Hillary Bach and placed Jamee Juarez in the circle,

Juarez struck out the first batter she faced. Leandra Maly then sent a chopper back to Juarez in the circle and the Cajuns plated a run when the toss at home went wide. The next at bat, Myers doubled deep to left field, clearing the bases and catapulting the Cajuns to a 5-4 lead.

The All-Stars made things interesting in the top of the seventh, getting a pair of runners on first and second with two outs before Wallace induced a foul out and Myers made a nice grab near the brick wall down the left field line to register the final out.

The Cajuns continue their fall season Wednesday, October 24, welcoming LSU-Eunice to Lamson Park at 4:30 p.m.

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

Mack faced her former team and looked sharp throughout. She allowed only two runs on five hits over 6.1 innings of work. The right-hander also recorded seven strikeouts on her way to the victory.

“It is definitely good for our team to face that kind of competition,” head coach Beth Torina said. “We were able to see what it takes to be at the top level at our sport. It was exciting. I was excited about the matchup all week. It was a lot of fun for the fans. Brittany has such a great following in Baton Rouge because of how much time she has put in in this community. It was nice for her to get to come back and play here.”

The 2012 All-American hurler Fico got into trouble early as she quickly loaded the bases and gave up a grand slam to Gionna DiSalvatore before recording her first out of the game. The NPF All-Stars took the early 4-0 lead and never looked back.

The Tigers responded during the home half of the frame after Sandra Simmons drew a leadoff walk and was moved to second on a Simone Heyward infield single. Bianka Bell followed with a RBI single to deep right centerfield.

The NPF All-Stars extended its lead with a single tally in the second inning. Ashley Charters and Jenn Salling connected a triple and single to make it 6-1.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Kailey McCasland connected for a solo home run off Mack to pull the Tigers back to 6-2. It was LSU’s eighth roundtripper of the fall season.

“I think we have a much better offensive mentality. I think we are swinging with a lot more confidence,” Torina said. “I think the addition of some of these freshmen really ups the level of the entire offense. Bianka just walks in and swings big. These kids that have been swinging with us for a year finally understand the system. They understand the offensive philosophy we are asking of them. They are really starting to feel their swings.”

The NPF’s added a run in the seventh inning off of reliever Meghan Patterson for the final margin of 7-2. With the victory, the NPF All-Stars improved to 56-2 during two-plus years on tour with their only losses coming from Oklahoma (2011) and Michigan (2012).

Softball Postgame Quotes

LSU vs. NPF All-Stars – October 19, 2012

Head Coach Beth Torina

On facing the NPF All-Stars…

“It is definitely good for our team to face that kind of competition. We were able to see what it takes to be at the top level at our sport.”

On facing Brittany Mack …

“It was exciting. I was excited about the matchup all week. It was a lot of fun for the fans. Brittany Mack has such a great following in Baton Rouge because of how much time she has put in in this community. It was nice for her to get to come back and play here.”

On the large amount of home runs in fall softball…

“I think we have a much better offensive mentality. I think we are swinging with a lot more confidence. I think the addition of some of these freshmen really ups the level of the entire offense. Bianka Bell just walks in and swings big. These kids that have been swinging with us for a year finally understand the system. They understand the offensive philosophy we are asking of them. They are really starting to feel their swings.”

Designated Player Kailey McCasland

On the team’s home runs in the fall…

“We have been working really hard. We have been using wood bats in practice. It is a lot easier to hit a home run with a metal bat. Using wooden bats teaches us to get the barrel of the bat out more.”

On facing Brittany Mack …

“It was different. We hit off of (Mack) all the time last year. She has gotten a lot better since she’s been in the pros. It was a fun experience to have her out here.”

Former All-American Brittany Mack

On facing her former team…

“It was a lot of fun. Before this night happened, I knew it would be a lot of fun. I knew I had to step my game up because (LSU) has been hitting well. At the same time, I was thinking playing here again would be a little sad. I was thinking at one point I was probably going to cry.”

On the Tigers outlook this season…

“I told them they are going to be in serious trouble by me if they do not make it back to the World Series. They have the material. They have had one year under Coach (Beth) Torina. Now everything is kicking in. Kailey McCasland hit one [a home run] off of me. The freshmen are looking unbelievable. They have a good chance this year.”

Tonight’s game was a nail biter. After back-to-back hits by Coralee Ramirez and Jordan Masek in the bottom of the fifth, the Bobcats put themselves in scoring position with runners on second and third. Unfortunately, NPF pitcher Hillary Bach was able to strike out the side to end the inning.

With seven innings down in the book, Texas State was able to hold NPF to just two hits. The Bobcats got stronger as the game went on, but they weren’t able to get any runs across the plate.

Texas State and NPF kept the fans on the edge the entire game, but it was GiOnna DiSalvatore who lined one over the right field wall in the 13th inning to give NPF the first and only run of the game.

Cat Osterman fanned seven batters and walked one in four innings of work for the all-stars. Also seeing time in the circle for NPF tonight were Hilary Bach and Jamee Juarez. Juarez earned the win tonight after pitching the last four innings.

Texas State’s Anne Marie Taylor did a remarkable job in holding the all-stars to three hits in 13 innings. Taylor struck out a pair of batters.

Most valuable player honors were awarded to one member on each team. NPF’s GiOnna DiSalvatore was named the Schutt’s MVP, while Texas State’s Anne Marie Taylor was named the Wilson MVP of the game.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

After a long and hard-working summer of playing softball, all the players must return to their “other” jobs…whatever it may be. Almost immediately following the 2012 NPF Championship, Pride players Natasha Watley (shortstop), Lauren Lappin (catcher/middle infield), Danielle Lawrie (pitcher), and Megan Willis (catcher) flew to Japan to continue playing softball in the Japanese Professional Softball League. Unfortunately, since there are number of teams in Japan the Pride girls aren’t able to stay together on the same team.

I don’t know much about the league in Japan, but I have heard they have crazy long practices! If I remember correctly, Lauren Lappin said their practices could run up to nine hours long! I thought to myself, “I certainly hope the pitchers don’t have to stay there for all nine hours! Give us one to two hours and we’ve done our workout.” Now that I think about it, I might have to ask the girls what all they do during such a long practice! But in the meantime, I will continue to keep-up with their tweets and pictures on Instagram to see how things are going on the other side of the world. As for the rest of the team, we stay in the United States during the NPF off-season.

After summer ends, reality strikes…whether it’s paying the bills or finishing school to achieve a college degree. Rookie of the Year, Kristyn Sandberg, headed back to the University of Georgia to finish her degree in Health and Physical Education and will graduate in December of 2012 after she completes a semester of student teaching. A few other teammates headed back to school as well, but not as students! Pitchers, Sarah Pauly and Cat Osterman, and outfielders, Kelsey Bruder and Caitlin Lowe, also headed back to campus to coach their collegiate teams or use their skills in the office.

Both Sarah (Texas A&M Corpus Christi) and Kelsey (University of Florida) returned to their alma mater as softball coaches. Cat Osterman will also be coaching this season but not at her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin. However, she’s won’t be too far away as she just recently accepted a coaching position at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. Caitlin has also returned to her alma mater, the University of Arizona, as the new director of operations and so far she loves her job! These universities are very blessed to have these women on board. They all have so much talent and experience to bring to these universities and athletic programs.

Out of all my Pride teammates, there is one in particular who has an extremely busy schedule year-round with TWO full-time jobs. Outfielder, Jessica Mendoza, juggles between commentating for ESPN and taking care of her precious 3-year-old son, Caleb.

The one thing I will always remember about Jessica is that she is ALWAYS smiling! If you have ever watched her commentate on ESPN, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. Jessica is such a bubbly person and absolutely loves her job.

This summer I asked her how she got into commentating in the first place and what her feelings are towards working for ESPN. Instantly she lit up and spoke so passionately about her career. She was definitely the perfect person for the job! When Jessica isn’t speaking in front of a camera on live television, she is busy chasing Caleb around! He’s definitely a handful, so Jessica has her work cut out with him! I remember after one of our games at Disney’s Champion, Caleb came running up to Jessica and his hair and clothes were completely dripping in sweat! I thought, “What on earth could this little boy be doing to sweat so much?!” I must say that it’s so adorable to watch a mother and her son play tag and follow the leader. Luckily, Jessica has a wonderful husband to share the parenting duties!

Speaking of wonderful husbands, two of my teammates are about to experience this happiness as they are getting married! Actually, third baseman Tonya Callahan is enjoying the married life as we speak. She and her husband, BJ, got married just a few weeks ago! Next in line to walk down the aisle is outfielder, Francesca Enea. Francesca and her fiancé, Christian, will become husband and wife in November. All I know is I can’t wait to walk down the aisle next! Josh and I have not set the date yet as we are still planning on where we would like to get married. But I definitely can’t wait to be Mrs. Brittany Oakes! So excited!

While I wait for my wedding day, I have plenty to do to keep me occupied. I am back in Baton Rouge with Josh and juggling a few jobs and activities. Along with playing a few of the games in the NPF Fall Tour, I am currently holding two jobs. In the mornings and afternoons I work at a physical therapy clinic, and in the evenings I give pitching lessons at a baseball/softball clinic called Marucci Elite. On top of this, I am working hard to increase the success and awareness of my program, Geaux Play.

As for the rest of the Pride players, many of them are playing in the NPF Back to School Tour. Coming up this week, the NPF team will be taking on Texas State University San Marcos on Thursday and I will be joining the team on Friday as they face my alma mater, Louisiana State University! I will also be with the team on Saturday when we play the University of Louisiana Lafayette. Check out WSN’s Back to School Tour page that lists all the information for future games, as well as the scores and re-caps for games already played.

So readers…if you have any questions for me please visit my contact page, send them in and I will answer them in a blog! And if there is a certain subject that you would want me to blog about, send your ideas in and see what happens! Looking forward to my future emails!

In the meantime…you can follow me on Twitter @GeauxPride_44 or “Like” my NEW page on Facebook!

Geaux Pride!

“We said before this game that we were going to be performance based, not results based,” head coach Glenn Moore said. “I thought we did a good job of challenging every pitch and at-bat. They (NPF) are the best at what they do and they will make you pay for any mistake you make.”

A pair of first-inning home runs from Gionna DiSalvatore and Francesca Enea gave the All Stars a 5-0 lead after the top of the first.

The Lady Bears got a one-out double from Clare Hosack in the top of the first and had runners at the corners with two outs after Sarah Smith was hit by a pitch, but were unable to score.

Each team collected three hits through four innings before a pair of errors caused three NPF runs for the 8-0 lead.

Holly Holl and Robin Landrith each added a hit for BU on the night.

The Lady Bears, who wrapped up fall action Tuesday night, end with a 7-1 mark and 10 home runs during fall play.

“I really like this team and I know they are going to work really hard in the offseason,” Moore said. “As I step back and assess our entire fall, I can tell you this is going to be a really exciting season at Getterman Stadium. I think with this offense and Whitney Canion back in the circle, fans are going to be in for a treat come spring.”

For head coach Heather Tarr, this game was not about the score, but about her team gaining experience and learning from the opportunity to play such high caliber players. “For our program to be able to bring some of the best softball players in the nation or in the world to play us is a huge opportunity,” says Tarr. “Facing a pitcher like Kristina Thorson–who is an amazing pitcher–is an opportunity for our hitters to learn from their experiences and to get better. So we thank them for coming out here and giving us a great game and helping us learn some lessons that we are going to need down the road.”

Tarr also believed that a game like this was not only good for the team, but good for the growth of the sport in this region. Along with hosting the game, the Huskies held a youth clinic on Sunday morning that drew kids from around the area. “We are trying to grow our game within our state, so it was so awesome to see how many young players were here for the camp before the game,” says Tarr. “There were about 150 kids here this morning, and for them to get to watch the best players play the game, it was an amazing experience for everybody.” Despite the weather, the crowd stuck around for most of the game and then headed over to Dempsey, where NPF players were signing autographs for the fans.

This game marks the end of UW’s fall ball, and Tarr is encouraged by what she saw during this short but important season.

“We’ve had a great fall. We have a new coaching staff as far as with [Assistant Coach] Brad Ditter, so he has really been helping us offensively, understanding what we are really going to need to do, and from an offensive vision standpoint, where we want to be at the end of the season,” Tarr says. “I think fall games in total, especially this game, have taught us a lot about ourselves–that we are pretty good–but what I think is more important is learning from today’s experience.”

As the Huskies head into their off-season Coach Tarr and her staff believe that it’s these kind of games that will prepare them for not only their tough conference schedule but the teams outside the conference that they will face in the Spring.

“Overall this kind of a game will teach us the lessons that we are going to need to have when we play against our conference opponents and some of the other opponents on our schedule.”

The Back To School Tour 2012 will see the All-Stars play 23 games against 22 different college teams in 16 states this fall. The tour is backed by USSSA and Major League Baseball.

“I thought they were an extremely good hitting team, which we knew they would be,” said Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins. “I thought we had three or four little mental mistakes and two physical mistakes that blew the game open. I wasn’t disappointed in what we did. We had a good dugout, hustled in and out and made plays when we needed it for the most part. The two pitchers who went today did fine. With Hannah (Alexander) out, they stepped up and delivered. The NPF is a great team. They are the best team in the world, so it was a good learning experience. We will not play anyone better. To see our team get some hits, execute some plays and do some good things was really good to see and I hope we can grow from this.”

After a scoreless first inning, the All-Stars jumped on top with two runs in the top of the second. Francesca Enea, Florida’s all-time home runs leader and a player for the USSSA Pride, led off the inning with a solo home run. Angeline Quiocho (BYU, Carolina Diamonds) later singled to drive in a run. Upstate got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Maddison Kieffer (Middleburg, Fla.) doubled with one out and later scored on Dana Landers’ (Simpsonville, S.C.) single.

The NPF All-Stars broke the game open in the third inning, taking a 5-1 lead. Jenn Salling (Washington, USSSA Pride) and GiOnna DiSalvatore (UCLA, Carolina Diamonds) picked up RBI hits in the inning, while Charlotte Morgan (Alabama, USSSA Pride) drove in a run on a fielder’s choice.

The All-Stars added to the lead in the fourth inning on Salling’s RBI single. Another run scored after a throwing error as the NPF opened a 7-1 lead. After a scoreless fifth inning, the All-Stars added four unearned runs in the sixth inning to take an 11-1 lead.

Sara Plourde, who was a standout pitcher at UMass, went the distance, allowing just one run on five Upstate hits to pick up the win for the NPF. Anna Miller (Portland, Ore.) took the loss for the Spartans. Jamie Ujvari (Niceville, Fla.) tossed three innings of relief for the Spartans, allowing just one earned run.

Upstate will close out its fall season Saturday afternoon when it hosts Georgia in a doubleheader starting at 1:00 at Cyrill Stadium. Georgia advanced to the NCAA Tournament a year ago and finished the season ranked in the Top 10.

The Gamecocks got an inside-the-park home run from junior second baseman Dana Hathorn in the sixth, while sophomore first baseman Olivia Lawrence added a triple. Redshirt senior Kelley Dillon and junior Ashlyn Masters also had hits for South Carolina. Kelly Kretschman led the NPF team with a 3-for-4 night with a double and five RBI. Charlotte Morgan had a homer as well for the pros.

Kretschman got the all-stars on the board in the third with a two-RBI single, scoring Ashley Charters and Jenn Salling after the duo led off the frame with hits. Salling scored again in the fourth after a bunt single, two errors that let her reach third and GiOnna DeSalvatore’s sacrifice fly.

South Carolina got a run back in the bottom of the fifth when Lawrence placed one over the leftfielder’s head and raced to third for a one-out triple. Dillon stepped up and put down a bunt, beating it out while Lawrence scored on the play.

But the NPF All-Stars posted four in the sixth, with DiSalvator driving in another run on a fielder’s choice. A walk to Morgan loaded the bags for Kretschman, who found the gap in left center to clear the loaded bases.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hathorn sent one over the leftfielder’s glove that rolled all the way to the temporary wall, allowing her to complete the inside-the-park homer.

Freshman Katie Marks struck out four in four innings of work, giving up two earned runs on five hits and a walk in the start. Redshirt senior Audrey Broyles shut down the pros in her 1.2 innings of work, fanning two while not allowing a baserunner. Kristina Thorson scored the win for the all-stars, giving up two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven.

Gamecock freshman left fielder Alaynie Page impressed the onlookers in the field, making a nice over-the-shoulder catch at one point while also throwing a strike to the plate to hold Salling at third on what could have been a sacrifice fly.

Postgame, both teams signed autographs for the dozens of youth players in attendance. Many of those players will return on Saturday for a clinic with the NPF players.

The Gamecocks close their fall campaign this weekend at Appalachian State.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

The games were part of the NPF’s third-straight “Back to School Tour.” A team of representatives from all four NPF teams (Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Carolina Diamonds and USSSA Pride) is in the process of making 21 stops across 16 states in a 40-day span. Despite the lopsided results, head coach Melinda Fischer knows her team is better because of the experience gained from playing against some of the world’s best players.

“It was a tremendous experience for all of our players to get to go against them,” Fischer said. “We wish we could have done some things differently to eliminate some of our mistakes, but it in the long run, it is about what you take away from this. Those professionals made adjustments every at bat, even within every at bat. I think that is the thing that really separates them from what I see in our program right now. It is a tremendous learning experience.”

Game One: NPF 12, ISU 2

The NPF team utilized three home runs in to defeat the Redbirds 12-2 in game one. After scoring once in the first and twice in the second, the all-stars broke the game open with a three-run homer from Angeline Quiocho in the third. Kelly Kretschman added on with a grand slam in the fourth, before Ashley Charters hit a solo shot and Charlotte Morgan recorded an RBI single in the fifth.

The Redbirds scored their two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run homerun from Sara Bradley. Stephanie Gallant led off the inning with a walk, with Bradley blasting one over the left-center field fence one batter later. Lauren Kellar also recorded three hits in her three at bats, including a double and stolen base.

“Lauren Kellar stepped up like she was ready to play all day,” Fischer said. “She had tremendous production in the first game.”

Taylor Baxter started and threw 3.1 innings in the circle, allowing six runs on eight hits, while walking four and striking out four. Erin Rodriguez tossed 1.2 innings in relief, also allowing six runs while striking out one.

Game Two: NPF 9, ISU 1

An eight-run second inning for the NPF team proved too much for the Redbirds to overcome. After retiring the first four batters of the game, Regan Romshek allowed seven-straight batters to reach base and three home runs in the frame. GiOnna DiSalvatore and Jamee Juarez hit back-to-back solo homers to start the scoring. Aja Paculba and Tammy Williams registered run-scoring singles before Kretschman blasted a three-run shot to cap the inning’s scoring and give NPF an 8-0 lead.

After NPF scored one in the top of the fifth on RBI double from Paculba, the Redbirds were on the verge of being no-hit and shutout. However, Romshek hit a solo home run with two outs and two strikes to give the Redbirds a run and break up Juarez’ no-hit bid.

Romshek threw all 5.0 innings, allowing nine runs on nine hits while recording a strikeout. All of the NPF runs came in two innings, as Romshek allowed just five total base runners in the other three.

“Regan was very consistent,” Fischer said. “You can’t ask any more from a freshman at this point. I thought she did a good job.”

The Redbirds will next go on an international trip to Curacao from Nov. 17-24. The team will participate in eight games while conducting softball clinics and community service projects.

GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

“I thought our team performed fairly well,” head coach Margo Jonker said. “We had a few errors I didn’t want to see, but I thought Dornbos pitched great, especially through four, and then they started hitting a little bit. Sexauer had a few excellent plays for us at short, and overall I thought we played pretty well.”

A crowd of 318 gathered at the stadium for the opportunity to watch the All-Star players from the four NPF clubs – the USSSA Pride, the Chicago Bandits, the Akron Racers and the Carolina Diamonds – take on the Chippewas, who ultimately recorded four hits and saw strong defensive and pitching efforts.

Senior pitcher Kara Dornbos, with the help of stellar defensive efforts by sophomore shortstop CarolAnn Sexauer, held the All-Star offense at bay through the first four innings, allowing only one run on six hits, but the fifth inning proved to be the game changer with the NPF squad putting four runs on the board.

The Chicago Bandits’ Tammy Williams singled with the bases loaded in the fifth to bring in the Carolina Diamonds’ Angeline Quiocho, giving NPF a 2-0 lead. The Diamonds’ GiOnna DiSalvatore doubled to bring home the USSSA Pride’s Ashley Charters and the Akron Racers’ Aja Paculba for a 4-0 lead. The All-Stars tacked on one final run with a single by the Pride’s Charlotte Morgan to score Williams for a 5-0 lead.

Dornbos went 4.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out one and walking one.

Senior Brogan Darwin, junior Raechel Zahrn, sophomore Trista Cox and freshman Evelyn Lorimer each recorded hits for the Chippewas.

Junior Chelsea Sundberg pitched in relief for Dornbos, not allowing a run in 2.2 innings while striking out two and walking two.

This weekend is the third in a row the Chippewas have played exhibitions as part of their fall schedule.

“Overall, in the fall season, I’ve been happy with the team,” Jonker said. “We’ve played with a lot of heart and passion, and we just need to gain the consistency. Once we figure out the consistency I think we’ll be in great shape. I’m very excited for the potential this team has.”

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

Sophomore RHP Sara Driesenga (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) earned the win in the circle, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. Sophomore LHP Haylie Wagner (Orange, Calif./El Modeno) started the game in the circle, lasting 4.0 innings and giving up one run on three hits. U-M tallied 12 hits in the contest, spearheaded by freshman shortstop Sierra Romero (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta), who went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Junior outfielder Lyndsay Doyle (Channahon, Ill./Minooka Community) tallied three hits in the game, with senior third baseman Amy Knapp (St. Joseph, Mich./Lakeshore) recording two hits.

The NPF All-Stars got on the board in the second inning as Andrea Duran singled to centerfield, scoring Kelly Kretschman from second base for the early 1-0 lead.

The All-Stars increased their lead to 2-0 in the fifth, capitalizing on an error by the Wolverines to score an unearned run.

The Maize and Blue answered in the bottom half of the frame when Doyle led off with a single to centerfield. Following a groundout that pushed Doyle to second, Romero hammered one over the wall in leftfield to knot the game at 2-2.

NPF had runners on the corners with two outs in the top of the seventh, but a groundout to second ended the All-Stars’ threat and sent the Wolverines to bat in a 2-2 game.

In Michigan’s half of the seventh, Doyle once again led off the frame with a single, advancing to second on a wild pitch. Following a Romero walk, freshman pinch hitter Kelsey Susalla (Garden City, Mich./Garden City) singled up the middle to load the bases. Lane entered the game as a pinch hitter, drawing a walk on a full count to clinch Michigan’s 3-2 walk-off victory.

Michigan wraps up the fall season on Tuesday (Oct. 9), welcoming Eastern Michigan to Alumni Field at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Watch the game broadcast here and on Youtube:

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

Though the Bears fell 3-0 in the game, there was a marked improvement from last season when the two faced off. The All-Stars came away with a decisive 13-1 victory in that meeting. Central Arkansas looked much more comfortable on the field this time around, keeping the game knotted at 0-0 through the fifth inning. The All-Stars broke the tie in the top of the sixth inning, when catcher Kristen Butler singled to left field and was able to advance to second base thanks to a fielding error on the play. A single by third baseman Andrea Duran gave the All-Stars runners on the corners with none dead. Nikia Williams drove a ball to left field, allowing both runners to advance and giving NPF a 1-0 lead. Following a strike out, an Aja Paculba single drove in Duran. The All-Stars added another run in the seventh inning, when second baseman Ashley Charters led off the inning with a double, then advanced to third on a fly ball to right field. A double by designated player Charlotte Morgan drove in Charters for the game’s final run.

The Central Arkansas offense struggled to get anything going on the day, with Melanie Bryant and Tiffany Roby each collecting a single hit. Jamee Juarez was on the bump for NPF, tossing seven scoreless innings, while allowing two hits, walking three and striking out ten Central Arkansas batters. Kelsie Armstrong got the call for the Bears, throwing seven innings of seven hit, three run softball. She struck out three batters and didn’t issue any walks.

“I think this was a great experience for our program,” said Central Arkansas coach David Kuhn. “I’m really pleased with how we played.”

Following the game, the Bears and the All-Stars hosted a softball clinic, teaching the fundamentals of the game to girls of various ages.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

For the second consecutive day, senior outfielder Jessica Cooley paved the way for the Bulldog bats, finishing 1-for-2 with a run and two stolen bases. Fellow senior Shelby Fisher and junior Heidi Shape both belted out doubles and accounted for the other two State runs scored. On top of Shape’s RBI double, the other two RBIs came from base knocks by redshirt junior Erin Nesbit (1-for-3) and freshman infielder Olivia Golden (1-for-2).

The Maroon and White jump back on the diamond this Saturday, Oct. 6, for a 5 p.m. doubleheader against Marion Military Institute at Harrison Central High School in Gulfport, Miss. From 10 a.m. to noon, MSU will host a pitching clinic, followed by a hitting clinic from 1-3 p.m. Both clinics are open to the first 100 children ages 10-18. For more information on the MSU softball program, follow the team on Twitter at @MStateSB and like the team on Facebook at Facebook.com/MStateSB.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

About USSSA Florida Pride:

In the first inning, NPF attacked early as Ashley Charters got the first hit of the game with an infield single to third base. After a Charters steal, Charlotte Morgan would send her home with a single to left center field for 1-0 NPF lead.

The All-Stars added another run in the third inning as Jamee Juarez led off the inning with a double to left center before Caitlin Lowe brought her in with a liner down the right field for a triple to give NPF a 2-0 through three innings.

In the sixth inning, two Tiger errors allowed NPF to bring across three runs. A double down the right field line by Andrea Duran would score two of the three runs. However, the Tigers would tag her out as Duran attempted a triple off the play. Through six innings, NPF held a 5-0 advantage.

The Tigers struck in the seventh as freshman Cierra Mangum reached first off a NPF throwing error to start Memphis off in the inning. With a two-out 0-2 count, junior Ashleigh King kept the Tigers alive as she sent a pitch to the left field wall, scoring freshman Wheeler Hill for the Tigers’ lone run of the game.

On the night, sophomore Jordan Richwood threw four innings for the Tigers, giving up four hits and two runs. In the final three innings, sophomore Sara Pearson fanned two batters for the Tigers, and gave up three hits and no earned runs.

Sophomore Breslin Perry, junior Ijiah Hargrove, Mangum and King provided the Tigers’ offense for the game, all with one hit. For NPF, Morgan and Juarez led the team with two hits, while Duran, Charters and Lowe each added one apiece.

In the circle, Andrea Bunner threw four innings before Brittany Mack came in to strike out eight in three innings of work.

The Tigers will play a doubleheader Sunday, Oct. 7 against Austin Peay in Clarksville at 2 and 4 p.m. before playing at Christian Brothers that following Tuesday.

Click here for the Box Score of the game.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

Contact: Sarah VanMetre (734) 763-4423
Wilpon Complex, Alumni Field
Thursday, Oct. 4th 2012 at 6:00pm

Four NCAA Women’s College World Series Champions, a combined three Olympic medals, and six former repeat NCAA All-Americans make up the NPF Back to School Tour team that travels to Ann Arbor, Michigan to play the Michigan Wolverines. Former Wolverine and current coach Nikki Nemitz will start in the circle for the NPF team. The NPF All-Stars have gone 41-1 in two years on the tour.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to play a marquee game during our fall season,” head coach Carol Hutchins said. “This is a great opportunity for the fans to get a glimpse of the new team and helps our freshmen get used to playing in a big game collegiate atmosphere. We would love a packed house for this game.”

Interested in tickets?

2012 National Pro Fastpitch All-Stars Roster

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

The exhibition game was a part of the National Pro Fastpitch’s Back-to-School tour which will play 22 games across 21 stops. This was the second game of the tour after the opening contest at Missouri State.

The Thundering Herd was stifled by the pro’s pitching. MU collected just three hits in the game while striking out 17 times.

The NPF notched their first run in the second inning after Jamee Juarez singled to left to drive in a run. The all-stars added three more runs in next inning with a GiOnna DiSalvatore single and a two run Marshall error which gave the guests a 4-0 lead after three innings.

DiSalvatore add her second RBI of the game in fifth when she drove in Juarez to extend the NPF lead to 5-0.

Following another NPF run in the top of the sixth, the Herd scored its first and only run in the bottom of the inning with a Jazmine Valle home run to left field. The solo shot would trim the all-stars lead to 6-1.

A home run off the bat of Kelly Kretschman and an Andrea Duran RBI single in the seventh would set the final score at 8-1.

Former Marshall players Rachel Folden and Amanda Williams started and played in the game for the NPF.

Andi Williamson started in the circle for MU. She went 5.2 innings while striking out eight. She struggled however, walking nine in her action. Freshman Halie Vance relieved the senior pitcher and went the remainder of the game.

The NPF’s starting pitcher was Juarez, who threw four innings and recorded eight strikeouts. Jen Mineau was the team’s second pitcher, throwing the final three innings and striking out nine.

Two other seniors collected hits in the game. Ashley Gue had a double while Alysia Hively had a single in the fourth inning.

Marshall’s fall schedule resumes this weekend as they play two on Saturday and Sunday each. The Herd goes against Ohio Valley and Charleston at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday while MU and West Virginia State will play two Sunday at noon.

Courtesy of a National Pro Fastpitch League Press Release.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

“I always want us to be fun and exciting on defense and I thought we were all of that and more today,” said head coach Holly Hesse. “I am pleased with what I saw at the plate from our players today. We attacked good pitches. It was a great opportunity to be on the field with the elite players of the game. We learned a lot and got better doing it.”

Sophomore starting pitcher Chelsea Jones was effective allowing a single first inning run on a pair of base hits. In the Bears’ half of the inning, Kirstin Cutter and Ashley Brentz drew back-to-back walks to lead off the game. NPF pitcher Jen Mineau induced a double play ball and the Bears were unable to even the score.

In the second inning, Jones shutdown the NPF offense, stranding the bases loaded without allowing a run in the frame. But the All-Stars exploded in the third inning. A pair of home runs chased Jones as the NPF All-Stars batted around and plated seven runs.

Missouri State began a rally in its half of the third inning. With two outs, Cutter reached on a sharp single up the middle for the Bears’ first hit of the game. The next hitter, Brentz, laced a single through the left side and MSU had a pair of base runners. Again the NPF hurler escaped with a pop up to end the inning.

MSU pitcher Rachel Brisker, who came on in relief in the third, got through the fourth unscathed. She allowed a walk and hit a batter, but did not give up a run in the inning.

Brisker pitched again in the fifth inning. This time through, she gave up one run on two hits as the NPF All-Stars edged the lead to 8-0. After the inning, Brisker’s day was done as she hurled 2.1 innings, giving up 2 runs, 2 walks and striking out 2 NPF All-Stars.

The Missouri State fifth inning started off promising. Heather Duckworth singled through the right side and MSU has a leadoff runner aboard. But a fielder’s choice, a line out and a ground out ended the Bears’ threat.

Freshman pitcher Jessie Van Es came on to work the sixth inning. She was greeted rudely as the NPF All-Stars rattled off four straight hits, including a pair of home runs. But Van Es buckled down and got through the inning without any further damage.

Ciara Flau led off the Bears sixth inning. She promptly singled up the middle to give MSU another leadoff runner. Bethany Sullinger reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a throwing error to give Missouri State a runner in scoring position with just one out. The Bears’ rally ended with a fly out and a ground out.

The teams played on through the seventh inning. Van Es threw a scoreless inning, allowing a pair of hits.

In the Bears’ half of the seventh, Stacia Boeckstiegel led off with a single to left field. Kerri Cunningham drew a walk to give MSU two on with no outs. But NPF pitcher Jamee Juarez stranded both runners to complete the shutout.

Missouri State will wrap up the fall exhibition slate with a pair of games in Tulsa, Okla., on Sept. 29 and two games in St. Louis on Oct. 6.

Click here for the Box Score from the game

Courtesy of a National Pro Fastpitch League Press Release

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

“Commissioner Frank Attkisson, who represents Osceola County’s District 4, is on location at the Osceola County Stadium. Not for Spring training with the Houston Astros, but to cheer for the USSSA Florida Pride, Osceola County’s new National Professional Fast pitch Softball League. Join him as he chats with one of the players to find out more about the League and what makes fast pitch an exciting, action-packed sport for athletes and fans alike.”

About USSSA Florida Pride:

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!

The 2012 Tour will make 21 stops across 16 states, and compete against 22 different schools in a 40 day span. The 22 university programs include 8 who were ranked in the Top 20, and 2 ranked in the Top 10, on the final USA Today/NFCA college softball poll. Those programs in the 2012 NPF Back to School Tour schedule are: Oklahoma (2), LSU (7), Louisiana Lafayette (12), Arizona (13), Washington (14), Michigan (15), Florida (18), and UCLA (20). In addition to the rankings, 14 of the 22 scheduled Tour teams qualified for the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

Over the two year history of the NPF Back to School Tour, the team of professional All-Stars has a 41-1 record, with the only loss coming at the hands of the University of Oklahoma on the Fall 2011 Tour. Oklahoma would go onto finish runner-up in the 2012 WCWS. This year Oklahoma will be the finale of the Tour, taking place on November 1.

Of the 22 Tour dates in 2012, 10 are former opponents, including a return to Tucson, Ariz., to square off against the perennial college softball power, Arizona. The Wildcats were one of many sold-out stops on the Inaugural 2010 Tour, filling their home Hillenbrand Stadium to its capacity of 3,000. Other return stops include Missouri State, Memphis, Central Arkansas, South Carolina, Washington, LSU, Florida, San Diego State, and Oklahoma.

The remaining dozen schools will be first timers on the NPF Back to School Tour. Among those, UCLA, the school with more NCAA Championships than any other college program in history, and Michigan, the 2005 WCWS Champion.  The impressive list of newcomers also includes Baylor, Louisiana Lafayette, Mississippi State, Texas State, Maryland, Illinois State, Wisconsin, Marshall, Central Michigan, and South Carolina-Upstate.

“The Tour is one of my favorite events of the year for the NPF and this year’s schedule is super,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “The goal of this Tour is to continue to broaden the fan base for professional softball in a competitive environment and to let many of the college programs we play against, celebrate their former players that have gone onto become professionals. We are grateful for, and appreciative of the programs that are so willing to share in that mission with us, and take a crack at the professionals along the way.”

There are several stops that will also include player clinics as well as special location visits and VIP luncheons and dinners. At least five clinics will be offered for young players that are interested in learning from the pros.

The Tour will kick off in Springfield Missouri on September 23 against Missouri State. Over the next 40 days the players of the NPF will criss cross the nation on the 22 game schedule before finishing in Norman, Oklahoma on Nov. 1. For information regarding ticket purchases, clinic registrations, or appearance possibilities, contact the NPF League Office email at  info@profastpitch.com or call 615-232-2900.

Full Schedule:

Date    Game Time    School    City

9/23    1:00pm    Missouri State    Springfield, Mo

9/26    7:00pm    Marshall    Charleston, WV

9/27    7:30pm    Maryland    College Park, MD

9/29    7:00pm    Memphis    Memphis,TN

9/30    2:00pm    Mississippi State    Batesville, MS

10/1   6:00pm    Central Arkansas    Conway, AR

10/4    6:00pm    Michigan    Ann Arbor, MI

10/5    3:00pm    Central Michigan    Mt. Pleasant, MI

10/7    3:00pm    Illinois State    Normal, IL

10/7    6:00pm    Illinois State    Normal, IL

10/11    7:00pm    South Carolina    Columbia, SC

10/12    6:00pm    USC Upstate    Spartanburg, SC

10/14    1:00pm    Washington    Seattle, WA

10/16    7:00pm    Baylor    Waco, TX

10/18    6:00pm    Texas State    San Marcos, TX

10/19    7:00pm    LSU    Baton Rouge, LA

10/20    TBD    Louisiana-Lafayette    Lafayette, LA

10/22    7:00pm    Florida    Gainsville, FL

10/24    7:00pm    Arizona    Tucson, AZ

10/26    7:00pm    San Diego State    San Diego, CA

1027    1:00pm    UCLA    Los Angeles, CA

11/1    6:00pm    Oklahoma    Norman, OK

See the latest press release on this subject on Profastpitch.com here!

About USSSA Florida Pride:

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!