Hile Selected in National Pro Fastpitch Draft
March 18, 2011
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Kansas softball senior catcher Brittany Hile was selected by the NPF Diamonds in the fourth round and was chosen as the 15th pick overall of the 2011 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) College Senior Draft Friday night.
Hile becomes just the second Jayhawk drafted by the league as pitcher Serena Settlemeier (2002, 04-06) was chosen by the Texas Thunder in 2006 as a second round pick. Shortstop Destiny Frankenstein (2003-06) also played in the NPF during the 2006 season for the New England Riptide though she was not drafted.
“I am very excited. This is an unbelievable opportunity,” said Hile. “I couldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for my teammates, the coaching staff and the support staff pushing me to get better and reach my fullest potential. This experience is going to be so much fun and I’m so thankful to be able to fulfill a lifelong dream.”
A native of Olathe, Kan., Hile has helped the KU softball team (23-3) get off to its best start in program history as she leads the Jayhawks with 28 RBIs, nine home runs and an .805 slugging percentage. Behind the plate, Hile has earned a .978 fielding percentage as the team’s starting catcher and owns 122 putouts. Additionally, Hile has caught six of 12 runners stealing and has picked off another three base runners this season.
“What a great day for Brittany and our program,” said head coach Megan Smith. “Brittany has worked extremely hard and has improved tremendously in the last two years. Getting to fulfill her lifelong dream is a result of all of her hard work and we are very proud of her.”
The NPF Diamonds, formerly the Tennessee Diamonds, are located in Orlando, Fla., and coached by Tim Kiernan. Hile will head to Orlando at the conclusion of KU’s 2011 season.
Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., the NPF is in its 15th season of existence and has four-affiliate teams: Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, USSSA Pride and NPF Diamonds. For more information about the NPF, please visit www.profastpitch.com.
