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NPF Chicago Bandits

Bandits Select Oklahoma's Lowary with No. 1 Overall Pick

April 23, 2018 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release


Pitcher Paige Lowary with the University of Oklahoma
Pitcher Paige Lowary with the University of Oklahoma
(Chicago Bandits, Credit: Ty Russell/OU Athletics)

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Chicago Bandits bolstered their pitching staff in the 2018 NPF Draft, selecting Oklahoma left-hander Paige Lowary with the No. 1 overall selection Monday night in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lowary, who led the nation in saves (11) during the 2017 season en route to earning All-Big 12 First Team honors, has continued her dominance in the circle into the 2018 season. The southpaw, who began her collegiate career at Missouri, has posted a stellar 0.76 ERA through 55 innings this season and has collected four saves.

"We think Paige's best years are still ahead of her," Bandits general manager Toni Calmeyn said. "Bringing a left-handed pitcher to Chicago will be great for us. We're really excited."

Lowary will join a talented Bandits pitching staff ahead of the 2018 season, which already features Team USA members Danielle O'Toole and Ally Carda, as well as veteran arms such as Haylie Wagner, Rachele Fico, Shelby Turnier and Lacey Waldrop.

Lowary became the first No. 1 overall pick for the Bandits since the 2007 NPF Draft, in which Tennessee's Lindsay Schutzler earned the distinction.

The Bandits made four more selections during the 2018 draft. At No. 3 overall, the franchise selected Oregon catcher Gwen Svekis, followed by Florida pitcher/utility Aleshia Ocasio at No. 10, Baylor outfielder Jessie Scroggins at 15 and Oregon infielder DJ Sanders with its final pick at No. 21 overall.

Svekis became the highest draft pick in Oregon program history at third overall, surpassing Courtney Ceo and Jessica Moore, who were each selected sixth.

An All-Pac-12 Third Team selection during her junior season with the fourth-ranked Ducks, Svekis has enjoyed a standout senior campaign. The Davie, Florida, product has compiled a .339 clip at the plate with a career-high 13 home runs and 42 RBI.

Svekis has amassed a .342 career batting average in her four years at Oregon.

Ocasio, a two-time All-American at Florida, joined Lowary as an addition to the Bandits' pitching staff. The right-hander, who also has recorded three homers and 27 RBI at the plate during the 2018 season, also owns a 16-5 mark in the circle with a miniscule 1.15 ERA.

Ocasio's efforts on both sides have helped the Gators ascend to No. 5 in the nation.

Scroggins, who became the Bandits' first-ever selection from Baylor at No. 15 overall, is a left-handed multi-faceted threat who paces the Bears with a .468 batting average this season, a mark which ranks top-five in the NCAA.

The Lakewood, California, product has also stolen 17 stolen bases in 22 attempts to lead the team and was named the 2017 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Sanders, a first team NFCA All-American at Louisiana-Lafayette, transferred to Oregon ahead of her senior season.

As a junior, the Columbus, Mississippi, native led the NCAA with 29 home runs and 82 RBI while boasting a career-high .388 average. Her success has paralleled to Eugene, Oregon, where her 19 extra-base hits rank atop the team.

The four-time Cowles Cup champion Chicago Bandits will be back at The Ballpark at Rosemont for the 2018 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.




Images from this story

Pitcher Paige Lowary with the University of Oklahoma
Pitcher Paige Lowary with the University of Oklahoma
(Ty Russell/OU Athletics)		   



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