Bandits Acquire Former All-American Lilley, No. 1 Pick in 2019 NPF Draft

December 15, 2018 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Chicago Bandits have acquired former All-American infielder Jenna Lilley, along with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2019 NPF Draft and cash considerations, from the Cleveland Comets in exchange for Emily Carosone, Sammy Marshall and Shelby Turnier, team officials announced Saturday afternoon.

Lilley is set to join the Bandits after she spent her rookie season in Cleveland. A 2015 NFCA second team All-American at the University of Oregon, Lilley marks the third former Duck to join the Bandits roster ahead of the 2019 season.

"We are very excited to welcome Jenna to Rosemont," Bandits general manager Toni Calmeyn said. "She's a talented player who should make an immediate impact both on and off the field. We are also thrilled for the opportunity to add another top-flight player with the first pick in this year's draft."

Lilley batted .275 across 19 games during the 2018 season with a pair of doubles and two RBI. The North Canton, Ohio, product also boasts National Team experience, having won a gold medal at the 2015 WBSC Junior Women's World Championship and a silver medal at the 2017 World Cup of Softball.

Across three seasons in Chicago, Carosone logged nearly all her 113 games at second base. The former Auburn standout earned All-NPF recognition twice (2017-2018). Carosone paced the league in home runs (12) during the 2018 season.

Marshall played four seasons in Chicago, with the majority of her appearances coming in center field. The Naperville, Illinois, native posted an All-NPF campaign in 2018, in which she established career marks in a number of offensive categories. As a second-year pro in 2016, Marshall captured the Rally Spikes Award after she led the league with 16 stolen bases in 18 attempts.

Turnier, a right-handed pitcher who spent her first three professional seasons with the Bandits, tossed more than 50 innings each season in Chicago and paced the pitching staff in strikeouts during the 2017-18 campaigns. The former University of Central Florida star garnered All-NPF honors in 2018 after she compiled a 1.12 ERA in the circle.

"Emily, Sammy and Shelby each made their mark on the Chicago Bandits and achieved great success throughout the starts of their professional careers," Calmeyn said. "We thank them for their contributions to the organization and wish them nothing but the best moving forward in Cleveland."

The four-time Cowles Cup champion Chicago Bandits will be back at Parkway Bank Sports Complex for the 2019 season. For more information about the Chicago Bandits or to reserve your season tickets, please visit chicagobandits.com or call the box office at 877-722-6348.

Infielder Jenna Lilley with the Cleveland Comets (Dina Kwit, courtesy of National Pro Fastpitch)

National Pro Fastpitch Stories from December 15, 2018

• Comets Make Blockbuster Trade to Acquire Three All-NPF Players - Cleveland Comets
• Bandits Acquire Former All-American Lilley, No. 1 Pick in 2019 NPF Draft - Chicago Bandits

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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