pros
SOONERS IN THE PROS
sooners in the
As the sport of softball has risen in popularity over the last decade, the number of opportunities for collegiate athletes to play following their career has sky-rocketed. The Sooners have watched numerous alums graduate to the professional ranks. As far back as Jill Most, Jennfier Jaime and Lynnette Velasquez, OU has made an impact on the highest stage of softball. The selections of Keilani Ricketts, Jessica Shults, Michelle Gascoigne and Brianna Turang in 2013 were a school record, topping the three Sooners that were chosen in 2008. All four players were chosen within the first nine selections, highlighted by pitcher Ricketts, who was drafted by the USSSA Florida Pride with the fourth overall pick. History was made in 2015 when Lauren Chamberlain and Shelby Pendley became the first teammates in the history of the National Pro Fastpitch draft to be taken with the first two picks. The USSSA Pride selected Chamberlain with the No. 1 overall pick, making her the first player in Oklahoma history to be taken first in the draft. With next pick, the Pride selected Pendley, who would go on to be the 2015 Rookie of the Year. National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. 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 names Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). Name Team-League Becky Burroughs WPF Storm Lauren Chamberlain USSSA Pride Norelle Dickson Akron Racers Lauren Eckermann Rockford Thunder Christina Enea Chicago Bandits Erin Evans Texas/Rockford Thunder Amber Flores USSSA Pride Michelle Gascoigne Chicago Bandits Leah Gulla Colorado Jennifer Jaime Virginia Roadsters Rachel Johnson Tampa Bay Firestix Kami Keiter Akron Racers Savannah Long Philadelphia Force D.J. Mathis Akron Racers Lana Moran Carolina Diamonds Jill Most Carolina Diamonds Susan Ogden Akron Racers Shelby Pendley USSSA Pride Laura Purser Durham Dragons, Tampa Bay FireStix Keilani Ricketts USSSA Pride Samantha Ricketts Akron Racers Christy Ring Colorado (NPF) Heather Scaglione NY/NJ Juggernaut, Arizona Heat Jessica Shults USSSA Pride Jennifer Stewart Philadelphia Force Brianna Turang Akron Racers April Valdez Arizona Heat, Akron Racers Lynette Velasquez Georgia Pride, Florida Wahoos Kristin Vesely New England Riptide
Michelle Gascoigne