Tim Walton poses with four of his alumnae along with his current assistant, Jennifer Rocha, following a contest between the Pride and Charge.
Summer Review: Gators in the NPF
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 | Softball
Florida is represented by six alumnae across three organizations in the National Pro Fastpitch league.
NPF Standings | League Leaders
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The University of Florida softball program is represented by six of its alumnae across three organizations in the National Pro Fastpitch league. Kirsti Merritt, Hannah Rogers and Kelsey Stewart play for the USSSA Pride, who currently lead the NPF by three games with a 17-7 record.
In addition, UF assistant coach Jennifer Rocha is serving in her first year as head coach of the Dallas Charge this summer.
USSSA's pitching staff has been aided by the great Rogers in the circle, as she's posted a 3-1 record and holds the fourth-lowest earned run average in the NPF with a 2.25 mark. Merritt has been a key piece to the Pride's success as well. A magnet for off-target pitches, she leads the team in HBP and is second in on-base percentage and walks. As a result of her talent for getting on base, Merritt is tied for fourth on the team in runs scored, proving that patience is key to success.
Meanwhile, Stewart has seen limited action with the Pride as she's been competing with the U.S. Women's National Team this summer.
The Scrap Yard Dawgs sit in third place in the NPF with a 16-12 mark. Taylore Fuller has been a mainstay at third base for the Dawgs and is hitting .193 (11-for-57) with three home runs, one double, seven RBI and nine runs scored. In addition, she's notched a .361 on-base percentage as she has 12 walks so far this season.
Dallas currently sits at 9-15 but has won two-straight contests and seems to be getting on a roll. Lauren Haeger is hitting .268 (19-for-71) with five homers, three doubles, 19 RBI and seven runs scored. In addition, she's recorded six walks and has an on-base percentage of .321. In the circle, Haeger has thrown 63 innings and posted a 3.22 earned run average to go along with 58 strikeouts.
Also for the Charge, Brittany Schutte has seen limited playing time this season as a backup catcher. At the plate, she is hitting .091 (1-for-11) with a walk, one RBI and one run scored.
About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF): National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage includes the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thurs., April 14, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas, will join the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2016 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, representing the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women's softball.
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