Feb. 8, 2005
DENVER, Colo. - The New England Riptide picked UCF shortstop Stephanie Best earlier this afternoon in the fourth round of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Senior Draft.
Ashley Courtney (Alabama), Kim Wendland (Georgia), and Jessica Merchant (Michigan) were also selected by the Riptide.
Best has been named Atlantic Sun Player of the Year the past two seasons, and led the conference in virtually every offensive category last season. She was also in the top 10 nationally with a .442 batting average, and a .840 slugging percentage.
Best enters this weekend with a .398 career batting average, and 46 career homers. This season Best is off to a strong start hitting .423 with five RBI's thru seven games.
There will be six teams heading into the 2005 NPF season. The New England Riptide are joined by the Chicago Bandits, Akron Racers, Arizona Heat, NY/NJ Juggernaut, and the Texas Thunder. In 2006, the California Sunbirds will rejoin the league, and there is a chance to add additional teams in other potential markets.
The 2005 NPF season will run from June 2nd through August 28th with a 48-game regular season schedule, an all-star game, playoffs, and a championship series.
Due to NCAA regulations, an active college senior-athlete may not sign with her respective franchise until their 2005 college season is completed. Senior selection rights expire on July 15, 2005.
The Golden Knights travel to Las Vegas this weekend where they will play six games in three days. UCF opens the Louisville Desert Classic with the No. 7 LSU and No. 11 Michigan on Friday.