Fastpitch news nuggets

SOFTBALL NEWS & INFORMATION: ACC games televised, Yavapai #1, 34-hour game played, WV Wesleyan still on top, pro softball draft slated, and neighboring Delaware needs umpires.

FOURTEEN 2012 ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE (ACC) SOFTBALL GAMES TO BE TELEVISED ON ESPN NETWORK or the ACC’s Regional Sports Network (RSN). RSN includes Fox Sports South, Sun Sports, Comcast Sports, Net Mid-Atlantic, and NESN. All ACC games on RSN will also be available on ESPN3 in locations beyond the RSN territory.

First up is a doubleheader on Sunday, April 1 between North Carolina and Florida State. Maryland will play Georgia Tech on Sunday, April 8. Full story and televised schedule at http://www.theacc.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/012312aaa.html

YAVAPAI ROUGH RIDERS RANK #1, according to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) 2012 preseason softball rankings of community colleges. The Salt Lake Bruins and Tallahassee Eagles fall into second and third respectively. Last year, the Rough Riders compiled a 64-7 overall record en route to the program's second national title in four years. Full story at http://www.dcourier.com/main.aspSectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=102733

                  Yavapai College (YC) Rough Riders video...

LONGEST SOFTBALL GAME EVER PLAYED in Florida – Saturday, noon to Sunday, noon – happened last month to benefit USA fastpitch representation in Italy later this summer. Several teams participated. “We’re trying to get softball back in the Olympics as well,” said head coach Cindy Corrado. Full story at http://www.cfnews13.com/article/sports/2012/january/375568/The-Longest-Softball-Game-Ever-Played-in-Florida

WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN IS PROJECTED TO WIN the 2012 WVIAC league title, according to a poll of conference coaches. The WVW Bobcats are the defending champions. They finished just ahead of the Shepherd Rams, ranked #2, who picked up two first-place nods, and WV State Yellow Jackets, who snared four first-place votes in the final tally. Full story at http://www.wvmetronews.com/sports.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=50656

PHOTO ABOVE: Wesleyan softball player Kashilia Young, Atlantic Region and WVIAC Player of the Year hit .369 on season with 33 runs and 32 RBI. Young's 19 homeruns tied a conference record and put her among the nations leaders.   

NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH TO HOLD 2012 COLLEGE DRAFT on March 7 at 5:00 CST in Memphis Tennessee. Twenty athletes will be selected in five rounds, all of which will be broadcast live at www.profastpitch.com. For the past two years, the number one selection has been from the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. In 2010, it was Charlotte Morgan and 2011 favored Kelsi Dunne as the first round draft choice. Full story at http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4349357

LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER. Almost 30 years ago, three guys from different parts of the country came together as baseball teammates for the Hesston Larks. Now they are back, but they have brought their daughters instead to “be lacing up their spikes as freshman for the Hesston College softball team.” This spring, pitcher Erin Albrecht (Sebewaing, Mich.), and infielders Ashlyn Knepp (Millersburg, Ind.), and Olivia Miller (Newton, Kan.) will be making their dads proud. Full story at http://www.hesston.edu/2012/01/family-history-links-baseball-and-softball-at-hesston-college

SOUTHERN DELAWARE NEEDS HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL UMPS. Both experienced and first-time are encouraged to apply. Training provided. Contact is Wayne Voshell  at whvoshell@verizon.net or Debbie McGagruder at debbie_dua@comcast.net. Full story at http://www.sussexcountian.com/therecord/x1368170701/Delaware-Umpires-Association-seeks-baseball-softball-umpires