Kissimmee, FL– March 14, 2017- More than 350 attendees gathered at the Chattanooga Convention Center this past Monday to recognize the recent addition of 20 inductees to the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame and honor five remarkable athletes for their achievements and contributions to Chattanooga sports.
Among the honorees was USSSA Pride pitcher Kelsey Nunley who was recognized as Female Athlete of the Year.
“It makes me feel good inside knowing that the hard work I have put in over the years is paying off, but I know that I couldn’t have done it without all of the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to learn from and work with,” said Nunley of the recent honor. “I wouldn’t be where I am without God, family, friends, coaches, and my teammates that I have had along the way.”
With a busy off-season, juggling a student-volunteer position with University of Kentucky softball and practicing regularly with old teammates in Lexington, the 22 year old can now add Female Athlete of the Year to her already esteemed repertoire but won’t forget all of the people who have helped her along the way.
“Growing up in the Chattanooga area, I had the opportunity to learn from numerous wonderful people through local organizations and teams, such as Janet Tate, Clifford Kirk, and my lifetime pitching instructor, Talya Trudell. I have been blessed with great teammates, friends, and family who have always supported me along the way.”
Although the ceremony was a different experience for the 2016 SEC pitcher of the year it was a great and memorable night.
“Getting to talk to and learn about all the Hall of Fame inductees that night, they were very inspiring. It was certainly an emotional and special night, one that I won’t ever forget.”
With the 2017 season around the corner, Kelsey is coming up on her second year in the NPF and is looking forward to reconnecting with old teammates and getting to know her new ones in the pursuit of the USSSA Pride’s 4th Cowles Cup.
“The feeling of not finishing where we wanted to last season has me excited and ready to show the world what the Pride can do,” commented Kelsey about the upcoming season.
The Soddy-Daisy native finished her rookie season in the NPF named to the 2016 All-NPF team alongside teammates Jordan Taylor and Jolene Henderson. Kelsey was the only rookie named to the 2016 All-NPF pitching staff this past summer following her regular season performance.
Finishing up her first season with an overall record of six wins and a single loss with three saves for USSSA. She posted a 2.82 ERA, striking out 60 hitters and kept opposing batting average to a low .242 in 54.2 innings pitched.
The USSSA Pride kick-off the 2017 season on June 8th where they will take on the Akron Racers in their home opener at USSSA Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL.
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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 USSSA: USSSA is 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.
About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF): National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage includes the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thur., April 14, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas, will join the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2016 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, representing the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.
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