LUNA SIGNS WITH NPF’S USSSA PRIDE
Four-time All-America selection to continue professional career with the National Pro Fastpitch league.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – After wrapping up her Texas career by leading the Longhorns to their third Women’s College World Series semifinal appearance in program history, Blaire Luna will continue her softball career in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league as a member of the USSSA Pride, the organization announced Tuesday.
The NPF consists of four teams, the USSSA Pride, Chicago Bandits, NY/NJ Comets and Akron Racers. The Pride’s 2013 season kicks off June 9 against the Comets. Luna, who signed a two-year contract, will be joined on the Pride by former Longhorns Cat Osterman and Megan Willis while former UT student-athlete Amy Hooks is a member of the Comets.
A Top 10 Finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, Luna earned All-America honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for the third time in her career this spring, and made her initial appearance on the top team in 2013. She was an NFCA Second Team All-America honoree as a freshman and sophomore. In 2012, she was an Easton All-America Second-Team selection.
Luna ended her senior campaign with a 32-7 record, 422 strikeouts, 13 shutouts and a 1.28 earned-run average. The Austin product was the only NCAA Division I pitcher to surpass 400 strikeouts this season and led the nation in strikeouts per seven innings at 11.7. She also checked in second in fewest hits allowed per seven innings (3.14), fifth in shutouts, seventh in victories and 10th in ERA. The 32 wins are tied for the third most in a year in program history, behind only Osterman’s 38 (2006) and 36 (2002).
Luna departs from Texas ranking within the top three in nearly every career pitching category, including wins (2nd/112), innings pitched (2nd/914.1), complete games (2nd/109), shutouts (2nd/48), strikeouts (2nd/1,428) and lowest opponent batting average (3rd/.156). Within the Big 12 Conference, Luna ranks third in career strikeouts, third in shutouts and fourth in victories.
- National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America First Team (2013)
- NFCA All-America Second Team (2010, 2011)
- Easton All-America Second Team (2012)
- Three-time USA Softball National Player of the Year Top 10 Finalist (2010, 2011, 2013)
- NFCA All-Central Region First Team (2010, 2011, 2013)
- NFCA All-Central Region Second Team (2012)
- All-Big 12 First Team (2010, 2011, 2013)
- All-Big 12 Second Team (2012)
- Academic All-Big 12 First Team (2012, 2013)
- Academic All-Big 12 Second Team (2011)
- Big 12 Pitcher of the Year (2010)
- Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2010)
- 2010 USA National Futures Team
- NFCA National Player of the Week (April 6, 2010, and March 22, 2011)
- USA Softball National Player of the Week (March 22, 2011)
- Big 12 Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 16, 2010; March 22, 2010; April 6, 2010; April 27, 2010; Feb. 22, 2011; March 22, 2011; April 12, 2011; April 26, 2011; March 5, 2013; March 26, 2013; April 2, 2013; and April 16, 2013).
SOURCE: Sarah Fetters, Assistant Media Relations Director, Intercollegiate Athletics at The University of Texas
