March 7, 2012
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Kimi Pohlman and Nikia Williams became the sixth and seventh players in UW history to be selected in the NPF Senior Draft on Wednesday night. "Both Nikia and Kimi have all of the tools to grow and become impact players at the professional level," said head coach Heather Tarr. "We are very proud of both of them. The NPF continues to grow and it's nice to see our players have the opportunity to play at the highest level. They will be excellent ambassadors for the NPF." Pohlman (Sammamish, Wash.) became the highest-ever Husky selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Chicago Bandits. Williams (Mission Viejo, Calif.) was the 16th overall pick and the fourth pick of the fourth round by the USSSA Florida Pride. Both Pohlman and Williams were members of the 2009 UW national championship team and have earned numerous all-conference, all-region and All-American honors. Both players were named to the Top 50 Pre-Season Player of the Watch list twice and to the WCWS All-Tournament team as freshmen in 2009. The senior outfielder, Pohlman has been the leadoff batter the past two years and a starting outfielder for UW all four seasons. She ranks in the top 10 all-time in school history in stolen bases, on base percentage, batting average and hit by pitch. "It's an honor to be drafted by the defending champs," said Pohlman. "My focus as of right now is getting the Dawgs back to the WCWS." Williams, a utility player for the Huskies, ranks in the top 10 all-time in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and on base percentage. She was also a Lowe's Senior CLASS Award nominee this season. "I'm incredibly honored to be drafted by the USSSA Pride," Williams said. "To play along softball greats as well as being reunited with all of the Huskies on the team is only something I had hoped of. With all of the excitement it's still softball season here at UW and until summer time I'm focused on winning another national championship with the team I'm with right now.' UW's Jenn Salling was the highest-ever player selected from UW before this year, being drafted No. 3 overall by the USSSA Pride last season. Salling along with former Huskies Ashley Charters and Danielle Lawrie all play for the USSSA Florida Pride. Charters was drafted in 2009 by the Rockford Thunder as the 11th overall pick and the first pick of the third round. Aimee Minor was the second pick of the third round in 2006 to Connecticut. Kristen Rivera was the sixth overall pick in the first round to the Texas Thunder in 2005. Tia Bollinger was the 32nd overall pick in the fifth round to the Akron Racers in 2004. The 2012 NPF College Draft was dominated by seven selections from the PAC-12 Conference. Of the seven choices there were two each at the University of Washington, UCLA, and Cal. Arizona State was represented with one selection. The SEC, which dominated the 2011 Draft fell into a not-so-close second place with four players selected. Brittany Mack was the No. 1 overall pick by the Pride out of LSU. Re-broadcast information on the 2012 Draft can be found at www.profastpitch.com. Due to NCAA regulations, an active college senior-athlete is not eligible to sign with her respective franchise until her 2011 season is complete.
2012 NPF Draft Presented by Miken, Results
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
1 (17) Carolina Diamonds - Angel Bunner About National Pro Fastpitch: National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. 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 of Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL) |
