USSSA Pride Selects 8 Draftees in 2016 NPF Draft
Published on April 15, 2016 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
USSSA Pride News Release
Kissimmee, FL - April 15, 2016-It was a big night for the NPF, with a sold out crowd at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for the 2016 NPF Draft.
Aired live on CBS Sports Network, seniors all over the country watched in hopes of hearing their name to join the NPF this coming summer.
Among the 40 names that were called to join one of six professional softball teams in the NPF, only eight can call USSSA home this summer.
In six rounds the Pride selected eight new Pride rookies that will fill the void a few key veterans left behind following the retirement of Cat Osterman and Megan Willis.
Although Megan Willis is taking the role of assistant coach this summer it is up to the young team to step up and take their competition to the next level.
As many of our players have said before, the NPF is a whole different ball game. With one new team added to the mix in the ScrapYard Dawgs, the competition is only getting stronger.
In round one of the 2016 NPF Draft the Pride selected Michigan powerhouse, Sierra Romero as the #2 overall pick. She will join former Wolverine Jordan Taylor this summer. Romero is an astounding offensive player and has re-established the Wolverines marks in six different offensive categories.
With the 5th overall pick in round one, the USSSA Pride selected pitcher Kelsey Nunley from Kentucky. So far in her senior season, Nunley holds a 15-4 overall record and leads the UK pitching staff with over 120 strikeouts.
Following their first round picks, the Pride had back to back picks in rounds two and three. Joining Romero and Nunley were infielder Kelsey Stewart from Florida and outfielder Haylie McCleney from Albama as 12th and 13th overall picks, respectively. Round three ended for the Pride with a catcher selection in Erica field from James Madison University as the 18th overall pick.
In rounds four and five, the Pride selected another outfielder in Kirsti Merritt of the University of Florida and another pitcher in Heather Stearns from Baylor University.
Rounding out the 2016 NPF Draft, with the second to last pick the Pride selected Aubree Monroe, the third gator selected by the Pride last night. They will all be joining former Gator Hannah Rogers in due time.
The Pride season kicks off on June 10th in Conroe, TX with a series against the Scrap Yard Dawgs.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from April 15, 2016
- USSSA Pride Selects 8 Draftees in 2016 NPF Draft - USSSA Pride
- Akron Racers Draftee Watch: By the Numbers - Akron Racers
- National Pro Fastpitch College Draft Brings Exciting Young Talent to 2016 Season - NPF
- Racers Add Premier Talent Through 2016 Draft - Akron Racers
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