Nashville, Tenn. – June 5, 2014 – The 2014 National Pro Fastpitch season got underway this past weekend and several rookies shined in their professional softball debuts. A total of 15 draft picks and 18 free agents began their professional careers in the NPF opening weekend.
The Chicago Bandits newcomers had a huge opening weekend with seven different rookies making an impact. The Bandits opened with a three wins over the Arkon Racers.
Former Big 10 standout Emily Allard (Northwestern) went 4-for-9 (.444) on the opening weekend, while Natalie Hernandez (Illinois-Chicago) and RT Cantillo (Ole Miss) had three hits each for the Bandits. Sara Moulton (Minnesota) recorded two wins in the circle for the Bandits, while Ellen Renfroe (Tennessee) had a win and loss in her debut weekend. Cheyenne Coyle (Arizona State) went 2-for-5 (.400) with one home run for the Bandits. Hernandez also added a home run. Estela Pinon (Arizona) recorded seven strikeouts in six innings in the circle, while Kirsten Verdun (DePaul) also pitched six innings in a no decision.
Pennsylvania Rebellion draftee and number one overall draft pick Dallas Escobedo (Arizona State) won her debut in the circle in the Rebellion’s 3-2 win over USSSA Pride. Escobedo worked seven innings and struck out five batters. Anna Miller (USC Upstate) threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings in her debut in the circle. Free agents Andie Varsho (Purdue) and BB Bates (UCLA) recorded their first professional hit over the weekend.
Former Houston standout Haley Outen went 4-for-8 (.500) for the Akron Racers. Nadia Taylor (Texas), Jill Barrett (Tulsa), Jennifer Gilbert (Ball State) and Ashley Thomas (Georgia Tech) all recorded their first career hit.
USSSA Pride draftee Madison Shipman (Tennessee) and Cassie Tysarczyk (Texas A&M) recorded their first professional hits. Shipman is currently 3-for-12 (.250) on the young season.
The NPF has two sets of twins on the 2014 roster, including PA Rebellion’s Taylor and Tatum Edwards from Nebraska and Akron’s Hannah and Lannah Campbell from UAB.
The rookies will continue action this weekend beginning Thursday, June 5, as Chicago hosts USSSA at Consol Energy Park. The Pennsylvania Rebellion will be hosting their historical inaugural season opener in the NPF.
The complete list of rookies and free agents to see action on the opening weekend include:
Draftees Seeing Action in Opening Weekend:
#1 Dallas Escobedo (PA)
#2 Madison Shipman (US)
#3 Hannah Campbell (AK)
#4 Estela Pinon (CH)
#5 Sara Moulton (CH)
#10 Jennifer Gilbert (AK)
#12 Emily Allard (CH)
#13 Cheyenne Coyle (CH)
#15 Jill Barrett (AK)
#16 Anna Miller (PA)
#18 Ashley Thomas (AK)
#20 R.T. Cantillo
Free Agent Rookies Seeing Action in Opening Weekend:
BB Bates (PA)
Jessica Bracamonte (CH)
Lannah Campbell (AK)
Ashley Carter (PA)
Natalie Hernandez (CH)
(PA)
Haley Outen (AK)
Alison Owen (AK)
Sarah Prezioso (PA)
Ellen Renfroe (CH)
Nadia Taylor (AK)
Cassie Tysarczyk (US)
Andie Varsho (PA)
Kirsten Verdun (CH)
Brejae Washington (US)
Olivia Watkins (AK)
About National Pro Fastpitch:
National Pro Fastpitch is headquarted 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 name 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login