DePaul University Athletics
Amber Patton Selected in the National Pro Fastpitch Draft
2/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CHICAGO DePaul All-American Amber Patton was selected in the fourth round of the National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft by the Chicago Bandits last week.
Patton, a three-time All-BIG EAST Conference selection, was most recently name BIG EAST Player of the week after batting .682 (15-22) at the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament, Feb. 20-22. She concluded the weekend with 10 runs scored, six RBI, and a slugging percentage of .909.
The senior third baseman currently leads the Blue Demons in season-batting average (.548), hits (23), runs scored (15), and assists (22).
Besides being named to a second-team All-American in 2008, Patton’s numerous accolades include three-time team batting title, three-time All-BIG EAST selection, 2008 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament team selection, three-time BIG EAST All-Academic team member, two-time All-Mideast Region honoree. She was also selected the Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 DePaul squad.
Patton’s name has been inked into the school record books on numerous occasions. She is DePaul’s all-time leader in sacrifice hits (54), ranks third in assists (467), and stands in fourth place with double plays turned (27). Last season she recorded more hits in a single year than any student-athlete in DePaul history (87).
Due to NCAA rules, an active college student-athlete is not eligible to sign with her respective franchise until her 2009 season is completed.
Major League Baseball is the Official Development Partner of National Pro Fastpitch in the category of women's professional fastpitch softball. The partnership, which began the fall of 2002, is part of the Commissioner's Initiative on Women and Baseball, a league-wide effort to help Major League Baseball and the 30 Major League Clubs build stronger relationships with female audiences.
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. 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).
2009 NPF Senior Draft Results
Round 1
1 (1) Akron Racers Kaitlin Cochran, Outfielder, Arizona State
2 (2) Akron Racers DJ Mathis, Pitcher, Oklahoma
3 (3) Rockford Thunder Laurie Wagner, Outfielder, Houston
4 (4) Philadelphia Force Brette Reagan, Infielder, Baylor
5 (5) Chicago Bandits Brandice Balschmiter, Pitcher, Massachusetts
Round 2
1 (6) Rockford Thunder Jenae Leles, Infielder, Arizona
2 (7) Akron Racers Brittany Weil, Pitcher, Iowa
3 (8) Washington Glory Kim Waleszonia, Outfielder, Florida
4 (9) Philadelphia Force Lillian Hammond, Outfielder, Tennessee
5 (10) Chicago Bandits Tammy Williams, Infielder, Northwestern
Round 3
1 (11) Rockford Thunder Ashley Charters, Infielder, Washington
2 (12) Akron Racers Samantha Ricketts, Infielder, Oklahoma
3 (13) Washington Glory Stacey Nelson, Pitcher, Florida
4 (14) Chicago Bandits Jamie Schloredt, Catcher, Sacramento State
5 (15) Chicago Bandits Jessica Valis, Infielder, Houston
Round 4
1 (16) Philadelphia Force Danielle Kinley, Outfielder, Penn State
2 (17) Akron Racers Melissa Pura, Infielder, Cal Poly
3 (18) Akron Racers Micaela Minner, Utility, Missouri
4 (19) Akron Racers Sari-Jane Jenkins, Outfielder, Oregon
5 (20) Chicago Bandits Amber Patton, Infielder, DePaul
Round 5
1 (21) Rockford Thunder Ashley Holcombe, Catcher, Alabama
2 (22) Akron Racers Missy Penna, Pitcher, Stanford
3 (23) Washington Glory Maddy Coon, Infielder, Stanford
4 (24) Rockford Thunder Breanna Brown, Outfielder, North Carolina
5 (25) Chicago Bandits Izmena Cabrera, Outfielder, Sacramento State
