Hannah Rogers Signs with USSSA Pride
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 | Softball
Gator Great Hannah Rogers has signed a two-year contract with the USSSA Florida Pride of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), the club announced Wednesday.
“We're excited for Hannah Rogers to be a part of our Pride family and for her to continue her playing career in the NPF,” said USSSA Pride General Manager Don DeDonatis. “With the retirement of Danielle Lawrie, we needed a strong replacement in the circle. Hannah Rogers can be that pitcher for us. Hannah showed what kind of competitor she was when she carried her Florida team to a 2014 National Championship. We want her to bring that competitiveness and resilience to our team. It's also great to have a player represent the Pride from the state of Florida and a player who is very recognizable in the fastpitch community right now.”
Rogers, the 2014 Southeastern Conference Female Athlete of the Year, led Florida to its first national championship last season. The Lake Wales, Fla., native compiled a 127-31 record, a 1.63 ERA and 833 strikeouts during her four-year career. UF's first four-time All-American won 30 or more games in a season three times and was the NCAA active leader in wins when she hung up her Orange and Blue uniform in June.
“This is perfect timing for me, because I'll be able to graduate from UF before the season begins in the spring,” said Rogers, who is in her last semester in Gainesville. “I'm super excited to be able to keep playing the sport that I love. It's a bonus that I'll still be close to home.”
One of 10 finalists for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award, Rogers earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2014 Women's College World Series. The right-hander was 7-0 with seven complete games, six shutouts and a 0.64 ERA in eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a championship-clinching save in the season's final game against SEC rival Alabama. A four-time All-SEC selection, Rogers ranks among Florida's all-time leaders in wins (second), strikeouts (second), saves (second, 14), appearances (second, 191), starts (second, 146), innings pitched (second, 988.0), shutouts (second, 41), winning percentage (fifth, .804) and ERA (sixth).
“This is a great opportunity for Hannah to play with the USSSA Pride,” said Florida Head Coach Tim Walton, who spent two seasons (2010-11) at the helm of the USSSA Pride. “Not only do they want great players, they want great ambassadors for the game of softball. Hannah will be that for them.”
Rogers will become the third Florida alumna to play for the USSSA Pride, following Francesca Enea (2010-13) and Kelsey Bruder (2011-13). The club is the two-time defending NPF champion, and its 2015 schedule will be announced at a later date. Rogers will join classmate Stephanie Tofft as members of the 2014 Gator squad to play in the NPF; the former UF third baseman signed with the Akron Racers last summer.
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