June 9, 2009
Keep up with Javier and the Pride here
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Former UCF softball standout Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif.) earned a spot on the newly formed USSSA Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch league, the team announced on Tuesday. Javier becomes the third member of the UCF softball team to play in the NPF, joining both Allison Kime (Brandon, Fla.), who inked a free-agent deal in 2008, and current UCF assistant coach Stephanie Best (Fort Mill, S.C.), who was selected in the draft in 2005.
"I am so proud of Bre for getting an opportunity like this," Best said. "She is going to do great things in the NPF and step in as a playmaker for the Pride."
With the urging of Best, Javier was offered a tryout with the Pride last Wednesday and learned that she earned a roster spot late Wednesday night.
Javier, who was recently named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Mideast Region First Team, wrapped up her collegiate career less than a month ago, and will only need to make a short trip to play with the Pride, as the team is based out of Kissimmee, Fla.
"It was an honor getting to be a part of helping Bre get to the next level and play on a team I once played for in the NPF," Best said. "It is our job as coaches to make sure we make anything possible for a player of Bre's caliber and to help student-athletes reach their dreams of playing professionally. She deserves getting to play at the next level and it was just a matter of time before she was offered a tryout. Physically, she has all the tools and I knew she was a shoe-in once they saw her play."
The first baseman received All-Conference USA honors for the third-straight season as a senior when league coaches voted her onto the All-C-USA Second Team. The senior was previously selected to the All-C-USA First Team in both 2007 and 2008 and to the C-USA Championship All-Tournament Team the same two seasons. Javier was also named to the Preseason All-C-USA team prior to the start of the 2009 season.
This season, Javier batted .318 for the Knights with 57 hits, including 10 doubles, two home runs and a team-best 34 RBI. The first baseman also paced the Black and Gold in three defensive categories and helped her team turn a nation-best 32 double plays.
Javier finishes her career ranked in the top-five at UCF in 15 career categories and in the top-10 in 24 single-season categories.
Formerly the Washington Glory, the Pride includes 10 members of the 2007 NPF Regular Season and Championship Series Champions for the Glory, including 2007 NPF Pitcher of the Year, Desiree Serrano and 2007 NPF Player of the Year, Amber Jackson. The roster also includes Olympic gold and silver medalist, Kelly Kretschman, along with 2008 Olympians, Monica Abbott and Caitlin Lowe. The Pride also inherited the Glory draft choices of pitcher, Stacey Nelson and outfielder Kim Waleszonia from Florida and shortstop Maddy Coon from Stanford.
Javier and the Pride will face off with former teammate Kime and the Rockford Thunder twice during the 2009 season, with both meeting in Central Florida Aug. 5-9 at USSSA Pride Park.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
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