Elkins Becomes Cajuns First No. 1 Pick in NPF Draft
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball senior catcher and two-time All-American Lexie Elkins was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick by the Pennsylvania Rebellion in the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) College Senior Draft presented by Bownet Sports at the CMA Theater of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Elkins becomes the first No. 1 overall pick – and third draftee – in Ragin' Cajuns history.
"Incredible, awesome and surreal were the emotions upon hearing Lexie's name as the No. 1 pick, and to realize that what 'we have already known' – that Lexie is the best of the best – is now known by all," Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball head coach Michael Lotief said. "This is an amazing moment in our program's and University's history to have the best in their area recognized nationally.
"We are very proud, appreciate and acknowledge that our community ("Us") is the reason she is No. 1, because of their love and support and nurturing."
Elkins joins Louisiana's all-time RBI leader Christi Orgeron (5th round, 20th overall in 2012 by USSSA Florida Pride) and Brianna Cherry (3rd round, 12th overall in 2013 by Akron Racers) as Ragin' Cajuns selected in the draft.
Per NCAA rules, active senior student-athletes cannot sign a professional contract until their college season is complete. The NPF schedule runs from June through August.
The Rebellion, founded in 2014, is based in Washington, Pa., and led by second-year head coach Craig Montvidas. The team will play a 50 game schedule, with the 25 home games split between CONSOL Energy Park and sports complexes in York, Lancaster and Allentown, Pa., as well as in Salisbury, Md. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A Top 25 finalist for the 2016 USA Softball Player of the Year Award, Elkins has developed into one of the nation's most potent power hitters, producing 73 home runs in two-plus seasons – after hitting none as a freshman at Texas Tech (2013).
This season she led the NCAA in batting average (.538), slugging percentage (1.263), on base percentage (.648) and home runs (17) through the end of March. She topped the Ragin' Cajuns squad with 13 multiple-hit and 12 multiple-RBI games.
The reigning NFCA/Diamond Sports Division I Catcher of the Year moved into sole possession of second place on the Ragin' Cajuns' career home run list, picking up the 73rd of her career on March 19 at UT Arlington.
The two-time reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Elkins generated a single-season program record 32 home runs during the 2015 campaign, which led all levels of collegiate softball. She also led the nation in RBI per game (1.54), recording 83 RBI to join Orgeron (2011, 2012) as the only players in program history to reach 80 RBI.
The Victoria, Texas, product debuted with the Ragin' Cajuns in 2014 and finished with the second-most home runs in a single season, slugging 24 including six in NCAA Tournament play (two in WCWS).
Elkins was a third team NFCA All-American in 2014 and rose to first team status in 2015. She was the female recipient of the 2014-15 James J. Corbett Award, which is presented annually to the amateur athlete in the State of Louisiana.
----------
MESSER SELECTED BY AKRON RACERS IN 2016 NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH DRAFT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of South Alabama softball senior third baseman Emily Messer was selected 31st overall by the Akron Racers in the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch Draft on Thursday.
Messer becomes the third South Alabama softball student-athlete to be chosen in the NPF Draft in as many years, joining the likes of former standouts Hannah Campbell (3rd overall; Akron Racers; 2014) and Farish Beard (33rd overall; Dallas Charge; 2015).
The Mobile, Ala., native has been on a tear in her collegiate swan song, leading the Jags at the plate in batting average (.463), hits (57), runs (34), triples (5), slugging percentage (.610) and on-base percentage (.518), in addition to protecting the hot corner with a .949 fielding percentage.
"I did not expect this, but I am really excited," Messer said following the announcement. "It's something I never thought would be possible, but three years of hard work under [assistant] Coach [Kristina] McCain and [head] Coach [Becky] Clark has helped me put everything together this year.
"I wanted to go out with a bang," she concluded.
As it stands, Messer is in line to finish with the highest batting average and slugging percentage for a Jaguar in a single season. She's also seven runs and 15 hits from setting another pair of season standards. Messer currently owns 10 career triples, and she's one away from a new program mark in that category.
South Alabama head coach Becky Clark said, "I speak for her teammates and the staff when I say how happy we are for Messer right now. She has earned her success and definitely deserves to play at the next level. Her speed and athleticism make her a great fit for the NPF, but her work ethic and blue-collar mentality make her an even better fit for the Akron Racers."
Messer is joined in this year's class for the Akron Racers by Jailyn Ford (P, James Madison), Sami Fagan (INF, Missouri), Alex Hugo (INF, Georgia), Geri Ann Glasco (UT, Oregon), Sandra Simmons (1B, LSU), Hannah Day (C, Troy) and Hannah Perryman (P, Missouri-St. Louis).
----------
Hannah Day Selected by the Akron Racers in the 2016 NPF College Draft
TROY, Alabama –The Akron Racers drafted Troy University senior softball player Hannah Day Thursday night during the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Senior Draft at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn.
Day was chosen as the 30th overall pick with the fourth choice of the fifth round. The selection of Day marks Troy's first ever NPF draft pick, and Day will become the second Trojan to play in the league, joining Heidi Johnson who played for the Akron Racers in 2009.
Day is making quite a bit of noise on the national level. She is currently fourth in the nation in RBIs with 55 and in RBIs per game with 1.38. She ranks 11th nationally in home runs with 15 and in home runs per game with 0.38.
Named USA Softball and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Player of the Week, Day has been making a name for herself this season. Her 15 home runs, 55 RBIs, 100 total bases and .769 slugging percentage all lead the club. Day ranks second in hitting for Troy this season with a .346 batting average, 45 hits and eight doubles and her 35 runs scored are third-highest total on the Trojans roster.
"I am extremely proud for both Hannah and the Troy softball program," Head Coach Beth Mullins said. "Hannah is a talented all-around player and will do great things at the next level."
Per NCAA rules, active senior student-athletes cannot sign a professional contract until their college season is complete. The NPF schedule, which will be unveiled at a later date, will run from June through August.