2015 National Pro Fastpitch season explained

2015 NPF Season
Color:blue
Color Text:white
League:National Pro Fastpitch
Sport:softball
Duration:May 29, 2015 – August 11, 2015
No Of Teams:5
Tv:CBS Sports Network,
Longhorn Network/ESPN3
Draft:2015 NPF Draft
Draft Link:2015 NPF Draft
Top Pick:Lauren Chamberlain 1B
Oklahoma
Picked By:USSSA Florida Pride
Season:Regular Season
Season Champs:USSSA Florida Pride
Season Champ Name:NPF Trophy
(Best record)
Second Place:Chicago Bandits
Season Champ2 Name:Player of the Year
Season Champs2:Kelly Kretschman
Season Champ3 Name:Pitcher of the Year
Season Champs3:Monica Abbott
Finals:Cowles Cup
Finals Champ:Chicago Bandits
Finals Runner-Up:USSSA Pride
Finals Mvp:Monica Abbott Chicago Bandits
Seasonslist:NPF Seasons
Seasonslistnames:NPF
Prevseason Year:2014
Nextseason Year:2016

The 2015 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 12th season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

Milestones and events

In January 2015, the NPF announced that the Dallas Charge would join the league as an expansion team.[1]

The NPF and CBS Sports Network signed a 2015 agreement for the network to broadcast the NPF Draft, selected regular season games, and all of the NPF Championship Series.[2]

The Pride's homestand against the Bandits, Rebellion, and Racers from July 15 to July 25 was broadcast on the Longhorn Network and was subsequently available for streaming on ESPN3.[3]

On July 10, Cat Osterman pitched the fifth no-hitter of her NPF career, beating the Pennsylvania Rebellion 2-1. (The Rebellion scored their run in the first inning without a hit, by combining two walks and three HBP. Pennsylvania actually led 1-0 going to the 7th inning.)[4]

On July 23, Monica Abbott pitched her second perfect game as a member of the Bandits, beating the Charge, 10-0.[5]

On August 3, Monica Abbott pitched a no-hitter against the Pennsylvania Rebellion, winning 3-0. The pursuit of a perfect game ended in the seventh inning, on a Chicago error and later a walk.[6]

On August 8, Sarah Pauly became the first NPF pitcher to win 100 games.[7]

Rule changes

The League Management Committee - consisting of Akron Racers owner Craig Stout, Chicago Bandits general manager Aaron Moore, Dallas Charge general manager Kevin Shelton, Pennsylvania Rebellion owner Stu Williams, and USSSA Pride general manager Don DeDonatis - met in Kissimmee, FL and voted on the following items:[8]

Teams, cities and stadiums

TeamCityStadium
Akron RacersAkron, OhioFirestone Stadium
Chicago BanditsRosemont, Illinois (Chicago Area)Ballpark at Rosemont
Dallas ChargeDallas–Fort Worth, TexasCraig Ranch (McKinney) and
Allan Saxe Field[9] (Arlington)
Pennsylvania RebellionWashington, PennsylvaniaConsol Energy Park
USSSA Florida PrideKissimmee, Florida

Other sites

Player acquisition

College draft

The 2015 NPF College Draft was held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 5:30 pm CST at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. Lauren Chamberlain of Oklahoma was selected first by USSSA Florida Pride.[16] Draft order was determined by regular season standings from 2014, but subsequent trades and transactions altered the overall draft order.[17]

Notable transactions

League standings

Through 8/10/15 Source:

TeamGPWLPct.GB
USSSA Florida Pride483414.708-
Chicago Bandits483117.6463
Akron Racers482226.45812
Dallas Charge481731.35417
Pennsylvania Rebellion481632.33319

Results table

2015 NPF Records
width=80TeamRacersBanditsChargeRebellionPride
5-7 7–5 5–7 5–7
7–5 9–3 10–2 5-7
5–7 3–9 6–6 3–9
7-5 2–10 6-6 1–11
7–5 7-5 9–3 11–1

All stats come from

Legend
 Protest/Halted Game
 Postponement
BoldWinning team
DateVisiting TeamHome TeamVenueScoreWinLossSaveAttendance
5/29/2015W Chicago Bandits (1-0)L Pennsylvania Rebellion (0-1)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA2-0Kirsten Verdun (1-0)Angel Bunner(0-1)-1013
5/30/2015L Akron Racers (0-1) W Pennsylvania Rebellion (1-1)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA3-6Allyson Fournier (1-0)Hannah Campbell (0-1)Angel Bunner (S1)
5/30/2015W Chicago Bandits (2-0)L Pennsylvania Rebellion (1-2)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA5-0Sara Moulton (1-0)Emma Johnson (0-1)-1002
5/31/2015W Chicago Bandits (3-0)L Pennsylvania Rebellion (1-3)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA12-4Tatum Edwards (1-0)Bryanna Walker (0-1)-
5/31/2015W Akron Racers (1-1) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (1-4)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA 2-1
(8 innings)
Laura Winter (1-0)Dallas Escobedo (0-1)-986
6/3/2015W Pennsylvania Rebellion (2-4) L Dallas Charge (0-1)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX4-3Angel Bunner (1-1)Sarah Purvis (0-1)-701
6/4/2015L Akron Racers (1-2)W Chicago Bandits (4-0)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL5-6
(8 innings)
Tatum Edwards (2-0)Laura Winter (1-1)-1065
6/4/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (2-5) W Dallas Charge (1-1)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX5-9 Vanessa Stokes (1-0) Bryana Walker (0-2)-
6/5/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (2-6) W Dallas Charge (2-1)Allan Saxe Field - UTA, Arlington, TX0-3 Vanessa Stokes (2-0) Allyson Fournier (1-1)Sarah Purvis (S1)
6/5/2015L Akron Racers (1-3) W Chicago Bandits (5-0)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL1-3Lacey Waldrop (1-0)Lisa Norris (0-1)-938
6/6/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (1-0) L Dallas Charge (2-2)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX10-2 Cat Osterman (1-0)Sarah Purvis (0-2)-
6/6/2015W Akron Racers (2-3) L Chicago Bandits (5-1) The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL8-4
(9 innings)
Sarah Pauly (1-0)Tatum Edwards (2-1) - 799
6/7/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (2-0) L Dallas Charge (2-3)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX 3-1 Chelsea Thomas (1-0) Vanessa Stokes (2-1) Jordan Taylor (S1)548
6/8/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (3-0) L Dallas Charge (2-4) The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX4-3 Chelsea Thomas (2-0)Sarah Purvis (0-3)Jordan Taylor (S2)551
6/8/2015W Chicago Bandits (6-1) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (2-7)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA4-2
(6 innings,
rain shortened)
Sara Moulton (2-0) Emily Weiman (0-1) -302
6/9/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (4-0) L Dallas Charge (2-5) The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX4-1Cat Osterman (2-0) Lauren Haeger (0-1)-476
6/9/2015Pennsylvania RebellionConsol Energy Park - Washington, PAThe Rebellion's protest was upheld and game halted after 9 innings. To be resumed on July 5.
6/10/2015W Chicago Bandits (7-1) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (2-8)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA5-0 Michelle Gascoigne (1-0) Dallas Escobedo (0-2)- 667
6/11/2015W Pennsylvania Rebellion (3-8) L Akron Racers (2-4)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH2-1Emily Weiman (1-1)Lisa Norris (0-2)Emma Johnson (S1)
6/11/2015W Dallas Charge (3-5) L USSSA Florida Pride (4-1)CommunityAmerica Ballpark - Kansas City, Kansas5-2 Vanessa Stokes (3-1)Hannah Rogers (0-1)Lauren Haeger (S1)
6/12/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (3-9) W Akron Racers (3-4) Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH3-6 Sarah Pauly (2-0) Dagmar Bloeming (0-1) -
6/12/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (5-1) L Dallas Charge (3-6)CommunityAmerica Ballpark - Kansas City, Kansas 6-0 Cat Osterman (3-0) Lauren Haeger (0-2)-
6/13/2015Akron RacersFirestone Stadium - Akron, OHPostponed (inclement weather)(Makeup date:June 14)
6/14/2015
Doubleheader/ makeup game
W Pennsylvania Rebellion (4-9) L Akron Racers (3-5)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH7-3 Dallas Escobedo (1-2)Aimee Creger (0-1) Emily Weiman (S1)
Pennsylvania RebellionAkron RacersFirestone Stadium - Akron, OHPostponed (inclement weather)(Makeup date:August 7)
6/15/2015W Dallas Charge (4-6) L USSSA Florida Pride (5-2)University Field - Columbia, Missouri 4-1Jolene Henderson (1-0)Chelsea Thomas (2-1)-691
6/16/2015Dallas ChargeUSSSA Florida PrideUniversity Field - Columbia, MissouriPostponed (inclement weather)(Makeup date:8/6/2015)
6/17/2015W Chicago Bandits (8-1) L Akron Racers (3-6)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH6-4Monica Abbott (1-0)Sarah Pauly (2-1) -
6/17/2015Dallas ChargeThe Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TXPostponed (inclement weather)(Makeup date: June 18)
6/18/2015Firestone Stadium - Akron, OHPostponed (inclement weather)(Makeup date: June 19)
6/18/2015
Doubleheader/ makeup game
W Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-9) L Dallas Charge (4-7) The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX 3-2 Emma Johnson (1-1) Morgan Melloh (0-1)Haylie Wagner (S1) 53
L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-10) W Dallas Charge (5-7)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX 0-1 (8 innings)Jolene Henderson (2-0)Dallas Escobedo (1-3)-145
6/19/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-11) W Dallas Charge (6-7) The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX 5-6 (9 innings) Lauren Haeger (1-2)Emily Weiman (1-2) -
6/19/2015
Doubleheader/ makeup game
L Chicago Bandits (8-2) W Akron Racers (4-6) Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH 7-11 Alison Owen (1-0) Lacey Waldrop (1-1) Sarah Pauly (S1)
W Chicago Bandits (9-2) L Akron Racers (4-7) Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH 11-3 Michelle Gascoigne (2-0)Laura Winter (1-2)-
6/21/2015L Dallas Charge (6-8) W Chicago Bandits (10-2) The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL 0-2 Kirsten Verdun (2-0) Jolene Henderson (2-1) - 881
6/21/2015 W USSSA Florida Pride (6-2) L Akron Racers (4-8)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH6-2Keilani Ricketts (1-0)Lisa Norris (0-3) Jordan Taylor (S3)
6/22/2015L USSSA Florida Pride (6-3) W Akron Racers (5-8) Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH0-2 Sarah Pauly (3-1) Cat Osterman (3-1) -
6/22/2015L Dallas Charge (6-9) W Chicago Bandits (11-2)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-4Monica Abbott (2-0) Lauren Haeger (1-3)- 961
6/23/2015L USSSA Florida Pride (6-4) W Akron Racers (6-8) Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH 2-3Lisa Norris (1-3) Jordan Taylor (0-1) -582
6/23/2015L Dallas Charge (6-10) W Chicago Bandits (12-2) The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-2Sara Moulton (3-0)Morgan Melloh (0-2)Michelle Gascoigne (S1) 1164
6/25/2015L Chicago Bandits (12-3) W Akron Racers (7-8)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH0-6Sarah Pauly (4-1) Tatum Edwards (2-2)-
6/25/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (7-4) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-12)Santander Stadium, York, PA4-3 (12 innings)Cat Osterman (4-1) Emily Weiman (1-3)-3265
6/26/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (8-4) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-13)Clipper Magazine Stadium, Lancaster, PA4-2 (10 innings) Hannah Rogers (1-1) Haylie Wagner (0-1)Jordan Taylor (S4)2812
6/26/2015L Chicago Bandits (12-4) W Akron Racers (8-8) Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH2-5Lisa Norris (2-3)Michelle Gascoigne (2-1)-418
6/27/2015USSSA Florida PridePennsylvania RebellionClipper Magazine Stadium, Lancaster, PAPostponed (inclement weather)(Makeup date: July 11)
6/27/2015W Chicago Bandits (13-4) L Akron Racers (8-9) Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH2-0 Monica Abbott (3-0) Alison Owen (1-1)-
6/29/2015W Akron Racers (9-9) L Dallas Charge (6-11) Twin Rivers Community Park - Greeley, CO3-2Sarah Pauly (5-1)Jolene Henderson (2-2)-
6/29/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (9-4)L Chicago Bandits (13-5)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL3-2 (10 innings)Keilani Ricketts (2-0)Monica Abbott (3-1)Jordan Taylor (S5)1130
6/30/2015W Akron Racers (10-9)L Dallas Charge (6-12)Erie Community Park - Erie, CO5-2Lisa Norris (3-3)Lauren Haeger (1-4)-
6/30/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (10-4) L Chicago Bandits (13-6)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL3-2Cat Osterman (5-1)Lacey Waldrop (1-2)-854
DateVisiting TeamHome TeamVenueScoreWinLossSaveAttendance
7/1/2015W Akron Racers (11-9) L Dallas Charge (6-13)Christopher Fields - Westminster, CO9-1Rachele Fico (1-0)Morgan Melloh (0-3)-
7/1/2015L USSSA Florida Pride (10-5) W Chicago Bandits (14-6)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-7Monica Abbott (4-1)Keilani Ricketts (2-1)-939
7/2/2015L Akron Racers (11-10) W Dallas Charge (7-13) Aurora Sports Park - Aurora, CO5-8Lauren Haeger (2-4)Sarah Pauly (5-2)-
7/2/2015L USSSA Florida Pride (10-6) W Chicago Bandits (15-6)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-2Michelle Gascoigne (3-1)Cat Osterman (5-2)-886
7/3/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-14) W USSSA Florida Pride (11-6)Ned Skeldon Stadium - Maumee, OH0-4Chelsea Thomas (3-1) Dallas Escobedo (1-4) -135
7/4/2015W Akron Racers (12-10) L Dallas Charge (7-14)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX7-1Lisa Norris (4-3)Jolene Henderson (2-3)-950
7/4/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-15) W USSSA Florida Pride (12-6)Ned Skeldon Stadium - Maumee, OH2-5Hannah Rogers (2-1) Dagmar Bloeming (0-2) Jordan Taylor (S6)
7/5/2015
Resumption of June 9 halted game
L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-16) W Chicago Bandits (16-6)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL6-7 (10 innings) Tatum Edwards (3-2)Dallas Escobedo (1-5)-
7/5/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-17) W Chicago Bandits (17-6)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL3-6Lacey Waldrop (2-2)Emily Weiman (1-4)-941
7/5/2015L Akron Racers (12-11) W Dallas Charge (8-14) The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX5-11Vanessa Stokes (4-1)Alison Owen (1-2)-473
7/6/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-18) W Chicago Bandits (18-6)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-1Monica Abbott (5-1) Haylie Wagner (0-2) -904
7/7/2015L Akron Racers (12-12) W USSSA Florida Pride (13-6)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH1-4Cat Osterman (6-2) Hannah Campbell (0-2)Jordan Taylor (S7)556
7/7/2015USSSA Florida PrideFirestone Stadium - Akron, OHPostponed (inclement weather)(Makeup date:July 8)
7/7/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-19) W Chicago Bandits (19-6)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL2-3Michelle Gascoigne (4-1)Emma Johnson (1-2)-1394
7/8/2015L USSSA Florida Pride (13-7) W Akron Racers (13-12)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH4-5Sarah Pauly (6-2)Hannah Rogers (2-2) -
W USSSA Florida Pride (14-7) L Akron Racers (13-13) Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH 5-1Keilani Ricketts (3-1) Rachele Fico (1-1)-732
7/9/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (15-7) L Akron Racers (13-14)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH6-4Jordan Taylor (1-1)Lisa Norris (4-4)-527
7/9/2015W Chicago Bandits (20-6) L Dallas Charge (8-15) Allan Saxe Field - UTA, Arlington, TX4-3Kirsten Verdun (3-0)Morgan Melloh (0-4)Lacey Waldrop (S1) 347
7/10/2015W Chicago Bandits (21-6) L Dallas Charge (8-16)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX1-0Monica Abbott (6-1) Jolene Henderson (2-4) -578
7/10/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (16-7) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-20)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA2-1Cat Osterman (7-2)
No-Hitter
Miranda Kramer (0-1)-986
7/11/2015L Chicago Bandits (21-7)W Dallas Charge (9-16) The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX0-5Lauren Haeger (3-4)Sara Moulton (3-1) -447
7/11/2015
Doubleheader/ makeup game
W USSSA Florida Pride (17-7)L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-21) Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA5-0Keilani Ricketts (4-1)Dallas Escobedo (1-6)-
W USSSA Florida Pride (18-7) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-22) Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA2-0Chelsea Thomas (4-1)Emily Weiman (1-5)-1528
7/12/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (19-7) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (5-23)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA3-0Hannah Rogers (3-2)Haylie Wagner (0-3)Jordan Taylor (S8)652
7/13/2015L Chicago Bandits (21-8) W USSSA Florida Pride (20-7)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL2-5Cat Osterman (8-2) Lacey Waldrop (2-3)-1634
7/13/2015L Dallas Charge (9-17) W Pennsylvania Rebellion (6-23)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA2-3 (10 innings)Emma Johnson (2-2)Lauren Haeger (3-5)-541
7/14/2015L Chicago Bandits (21-9) W USSSA Florida Pride (21-7)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL3-5Keilani Ricketts (5-1)Michelle Gascoigne (4-2)Jordan Taylor (S9)941
7/14/2015L Dallas Charge (9-18) W Pennsylvania Rebellion (7-23)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA4-5Haylie Wagner (1-3)Jolene Henderson (2-5)-1197
7/15/2015L Dallas Charge (9-19)W Pennsylvania Rebellion (8-23)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA0-1Dallas Escobedo (2-6)Morgan Melloh (0-5)-601
7/15/2015W Chicago Bandits (22-9) L USSSA Florida Pride (21-8)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL2-0Monica Abbott (7-1) Chelsea Thomas (4-2)-9752
7/16/2015W Dallas Charge (10-19) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (8-24) Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA3-0Vanessa Stokes (5-1)Miranda Kramer (0-2)Jolene Henderson (S1)898
7/16/2015L Chicago Bandits (22-10) W USSSA Florida Pride (22-8) Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL5-6Cat Osterman (9-2) Tatum Edwards (3-3)921
7/17/2015L Dallas Charge (10-20) W Akron Racers (14-14)Berliner Park, Columbus OH0-1Sarah Pauly (7-2)Jolene Henderson (2-6)-777
7/18/2015W Dallas Charge (11-20) L Akron Racers (14-15)Berliner Park, Columbus OH9-6Lauren Haeger (4-5)Lisa Norris (4-5)Morgan Melloh (S1)565
7/18/2015W Pennsylvania Rebellion (9-24) L USSSA Florida Pride (22-9)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL6-3Haylie Wagner (2-3)Keilani Ricketts (5-2)Emily Weiman (S2)12175
7/19/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (9-25) W USSSA Florida Pride (23-9)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL1-3Chelsea Thomas (5-2)Miranda Kramer (0-3)Jordan Taylor (S10)
7/20/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (9-26) W USSSA Florida Pride (24-9)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL1-7Cat Osterman (10-2)Dallas Escobedo (2-7)-674
7/20/2015W Dallas Charge (12-20) L Akron Racers (14-16)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH9-0Morgan Melloh (1-5)Rachele Fico (1-2)-469
7/21/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (9-27) W USSSA Florida Pride (25-9)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL1-3Keilani Ricketts (6-2)Emily Weiman (1-6)Jordan Taylor (S11)634
7/21/2015L Dallas Charge (12-21) W Akron Racers (15-16)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH0-6Sarah Pauly (8-2)Jolene Henderson (2-7) -616
7/22/2015W Akron Racers (16-16) L USSSA Florida Pride (25-10) Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL5-4Rachele Fico (2-2)Chelsea Thomas (5-3) -502
7/23/2015L Dallas Charge (12-22) W Chicago Bandits (23-10) The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-10Monica Abbott (8-1)
Perfect Game
Vanessa Stokes (5-2)-1502
7/23/2015L Akron Racers (16-17) W USSSA Florida Pride (26-10)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL1-2Cat Osterman (11-2) Lisa Norris (4-6)-711
7/24/2015L Akron Racers (16-18) W USSSA Florida Pride (27-10) Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL4-6Keilani Ricketts (7-2)Sarah Pauly (8-3)-613
7/24/2015W Dallas Charge (13-22) L Chicago Bandits (23-11)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL9-2Lauren Haeger (5-5)Michelle Gascoigne (4-3)-1611
7/25/2015L Akron Racers (16-19) W USSSA Florida Pride (28-10) Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL2-8Chelsea Thomas (6-3)Rachele Fico (2-3)-568
7/25/2015L Dallas Charge (13-23) W Chicago Bandits (24-11) The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-1 (8 innings)Monica Abbott (9-1)Morgan Melloh (1-6)-1386
7/25/2015W Akron Racers (17-19) L USSSA Florida Pride (28-11)Champion Stadium - Kissimmee, FL5-1Lisa Norris (5-6)Andi Williamson (0-1) -578
7/27/2015W Dallas Charge (14-23) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (9-28)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA3-2 (9 innings)Jolene Henderson (3-7)Dallas Escobedo (2-8) -782
7/27/2015L USSSA Florida Pride (28-12) W Chicago Bandits (25-11)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-3 (9 innings)Monica Abbott (10-1)Keilani Ricketts (7-3)-1376
7/28/2015L Dallas Charge (14-24) W Pennsylvania Rebellion (10-28)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA 0-3Emma Johnson (3-2)Lauren Haeger (5-6)Haylie Wagner (S2)952
7/28/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (29-12) L Chicago Bandits (25-12) The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL5-2Cat Osterman (12-2) Michelle Gascoigne (4-4)-1375
7/29/2015W Akron Racers (18-19) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (10-29) Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA4-2Sarah Pauly (9-3) Emily Weiman (1-7) -1001
7/29/2015L Chicago Bandits (25-12) W USSSA Florida Pride (30-12) Louisville Slugger Sports Complex - Peoria, IL3-6Chelsea Thomas (7-3)Lacey Waldrop (2-4)-807
7/30/2015W Chicago Bandits (26-12) L USSSA Florida Pride (30-13) Louisville Slugger Sports Complex - Peoria, IL4-0Monica Abbott (11-1)Keilani Ricketts (7-4)-1211
7/31/2015L Dallas Charge (14-25) W Akron Racers (19-19)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH1-10Lisa Norris (6-6)Lauren Haeger (5-7)-887
7/31/2015W Pennsylvania Rebellion (11-29) L Chicago Bandits (26-13)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL4-2Haylie Wagner (3-3)Kirsten Verdun (3-1)-1625
DateVisiting TeamHome TeamVenueScoreWinLossSaveAttendance
8/1/2015W Dallas Charge (15-25) L Akron Racers (19-20)Berliner Park, Columbus, OH1-0Morgan Melloh (2-6)Sarah Pauly (9-4)-1659
8/1/2015W Pennsylvania Rebellion (12-29) L Chicago Bandits (26-15)Berliner Park, Columbus OH5-3Miranda Kramer (1-3)Michelle Gascoigne (4-5)Emily Weiman (S3)1687
8/2/2015Pennsylvania RebellionChicago BanditsThe Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, ILPostponed (inclement weather)(Makeup date:8/3/2015)
8/3/2015L Pennsylvania Rebellion (12-30) W Chicago Bandits (27-15)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL0-3Monica Abbott (12-1)
No-hitter
Haylie Wagner (3-4)-989
8/3/2015L Dallas Charge (15-26) W USSSA Florida Pride (31-13) Constellation Field - Sugarland, TX2-6Cat Osterman (13-2) Jolene Henderson (3-8)-2122
8/3/2015L Akron Racers (19-21) W Chicago Bandits (28-15)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL3-4Lacey Waldrop (3-4)Hannah Campbell (0-3)-457
8/4/2015W Dallas Charge (16-26) L USSSA Florida Pride (31-14) Constellation Field - Sugarland, TX3-0Morgan Melloh (3-6)Keilani Ricketts (7-5)-2193
8/4/2015W Akron Racers (20-21) L Chicago Bandits (28-16)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL4-2Rachele Fico (3-3)Sara Moulton (3-2)Sarah Pauly (S2)839
8/5/2015L Akron Racers (20-22) W Chicago Bandits (29-16)The Ballpark at Rosemont - Rosemont, IL2-8Michelle Gascoigne (5-5)Sarah Pauly (9-5)-1265
8/6/2015L Dallas Charge (16-27) W USSSA Florida Pride (32-14)St. Mary's University0-4Chelsea Thomas (8-3)Jolene Henderson (3-9)-
L Dallas Charge (16-28)W USSSA Florida Pride (33-14)St. Mary's University4-5Jordan Taylor (2-1)Morgan Melloh (3-7)-1050
8/7/2015
Doubleheader/ makeup game
L Akron Racers (20-23)W Pennsylvania Rebellion (13-30)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA 1-9Dagmar Bloeming (1-2)Hannah Campbell (0-4)-
L Akron Racers (20-24)W Pennsylvania Rebellion (14-30)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA3-4Emma Johnson (4-2)Rachele Fico (3-4)Haylie Wagner (S3)842
8/7/2015W USSSA Florida Pride (33-14) L Dallas Charge (16-29)St. Mary's University7-3Cat Osterman (14-2)Morgan Melloh (3-8)Andi Williamson (S1)1400
8/8/2015W Akron Racers (21-24) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (14-31)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA6-0Sarah Pauly (10-5)Miranda Kramer (1-4)-996
8/9/2015W Akron Racers (22-24) L Pennsylvania Rebellion (14-32)Consol Energy Park - Washington, PA2-0Lisa Norris (7-6)Dallas Escobedo (2-9)-783
8/9/2015W Chicago Bandits (30-16) L Dallas Charge (16-30)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX3-0Monica Abbott (13-1)Jolene Henderson (3-10)-488
8/10/2015L Chicago Bandits (30-17) W Dallas Charge (17-30) The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX 0-3Lauren Haeger (6-7)Lacey Waldrop (3-5)-458
8/10/2015W Pennsylvania Rebellion (15-32) L Akron Racers (22-25)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH9-5Emily Weiman (2-7)Rachele Fico (3-5)-1152
8/11/2015W Chicago Bandits (31-17) L Dallas Charge (17-31)The Ballfields at Craig Ranch - McKinney, TX4-3Michelle Gascoigne (6-5)Vanessa Stokes (5-3) Monica Abbott (S1) 436
8/11/2015W Pennsylvania Rebellion (16-32)L Akron Racers (22-26)Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH13-8 (6 innings, rain shortened) Miranda Kramer (2-4) Hannah Campbell (0-5)-1813

Game notes

NPF Championship

The 2015 NPF Championship was scheduled to be played at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, AL beginning August 15. This is the second time Hoover has hosted the championship.[19] The top four teams from the regular season qualify for the championship playoffs. The highest-seeded semifinal winner then hosted the championship final.

2015 NPF Semifinals
USSSA Pride defeat Dallas Charge, 2-0
Game Date Score Series
1Aug 14USSSA Pride 8, Dallas Charge 0[20] 1-0
2Aug 15USSSA Pride 8, Dallas Charge 7[21] 2-0
2015 NPF Semifinals
Chicago Bandits defeat Akron Racers, 2-0
Game Date Score Series
1Aug 14Chicago Bandits 3, Akron Racers 11-0
2Aug 15Chicago Bandits 5, Akron Racers 2[22] 2-0
2015 NPF Championship Series
Chicago Bandits defeat USSSA Pride, 2-0
Game Date Score Series
1Aug 16Chicago Bandits 1, USSSA Pride 0[23] 1-0
2Aug 17Chicago Bandits 1, USSSA Pride 0[24] 2-0

Championship Game

TeamTop BatterStats.
Chicago BanditsEmily Allard2-2
USSSA PrideNatasha Watley1-2 BB
TeamPitcherIP H R ER BB SO
Chicago BanditsMonica Abbott (W)7.0 2 0 0 1 8
USSSA PrideCat Osterman (L)6.0 4 1 0 1 6

Statistical leaders

Batting avg

Player (Team)Total
Natasha Watley (USSSA Pride).390
Brittany Cervantes (Chicago Bandits).358
Jill Barrett (Akron Racers).339
Kelly Kretschman (USSSA Pride).338
Amber Patton (Chicago Bandits).338

Slugging pct

Player (Team)Total
Brittany Cervantes (Chicago Bandits).670
Nerissa Myers (Akron Racers).556
Taylor Schlopy(Akron Racers).530
Kelly Kretschman (USSSA Pride).521
Shelby Pendley(USSSA Pride).519

On base pct

Player (Team)Total
Brittany Cervantes (Chicago Bandits).507
Nerissa Myers (Akron Racers).443
Natasha Watley (USSSA Pride).438
Taylor Schlopy(Akron Racers).416
Kristyn Sandberg (Pennsylvania Rebellion).402

Runs scored

Player (Team)Total
Taylor Schlopy(Akron Racers)34
Brittany Cervantes (Chicago Bandits)26
Jill Barrett (Akron Racers)26
Kelly Kretschman (USSSA Pride)24
2 tied at 23

Hits

Player (Team)Total
Jill Barrett (Akron Racers)56
Emily Allard (Chicago Bandits)51
Kelly Kretschman (USSSA Pride)48
Amber Patton (Chicago Bandits)48
Natasha Watley (USSSA Pride)46

Runs batted in

Player (Team)Total
Nerissa Myers (Akron Racers)31
Megan Wiggins (USSSA Pride)29
Taylor Edwards (Chicago Bandits)29
Andrea Duran (USSSA Pride)26
Taylor Schlopy(Akron Racers)26

Home runs

Player (Team)Total
Taylor Schlopy(Akron Racers)10
Nerissa Myers (Akron Racers)9
Taylor Edwards (Chicago Bandits)9
Brittany Cervantes (Chicago Bandits)9
2 tied at 7

Stolen bases

Player (Team)Total
Emily Allard (Chicago Bandits)12
Kelly Kretschman (USSSA Pride)10
Danielle Zymkowitz (Chicago Bandits)8
Kahley Novak (Dallas Charge)7
AJ Andrews (Chicago Bandits)7

Earned run avg

Player (Team)Total
Monica Abbott (Chicago Bandits)0.31
Jordan Taylor (USSSA Pride)0.51
Cat Osterman (USSSA Pride)1.35
Kirsten Verdun (Chicago Bandits)1.52
Chelsea Thomas (USSSA Pride)1.73

Batters struck out

Player (Team)Total
Cat Osterman (USSSA Pride)164
Monica Abbott (Chicago Bandits)149
Lauren Haeger (Dallas Charge)86
Keilani Ricketts (USSSA Pride)83
Sarah Pauly (Akron Racers)68

Wins

Player (Team)Total
Cat Osterman (USSSA Pride)14
Monica Abbott (Chicago Bandits)13
Sarah Pauly (Akron Racers)10
Chelsea Thomas (USSSA Pride)8
2 tied at 7

Saves

Player (Team)Total
Jordan Taylor (USSSA Pride)11
Emily Weiman (Pennsylvania Rebellion)3
Haylie Wagner (Pennsylvania Rebellion)3
Sarah Pauly (Akron Racers)2
10 tied at 1

Losses

Player (Team)Total
Jolene Henderson (Dallas Charge)10
Dallas Escobedo (Pennsylvania Rebellion)9
Morgan Melloh (Dallas Charge)8
Emily Weiman (Pennsylvania Rebellion)7
Lauren Haeger (Dallas Charge)7

Annual awards

The 2015 NPF Awards Banquet was held at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Alabama on August 13. The annual awards were presented, and the 2015 All-NPF Team was announced.[26]

AwardPlayerTeamStat
Player of the Year AwardKelly KretschmanUSSSA Florida Pridehit .338 with 7 HR, and 22 RBIs, made only one error, 10 for 10 in stolen bases
Pitcher of the YearMonica AbbottChicago Bandits13-1, 1 SV, 12 complete games and 11 shutouts, 1 no-hitter, 1 perfect game, 146 Ks in 90.1 IP
Rookie of the Year Shelby PendleyUSSSA Florida Prideled all rookies in SLG, hits, HR, OBP, RBIs, total bases, and runs; ranked second among rookies in batting average and doubles.
Offensive Player of the YearBrittany CervantesChicago Banditshit .358 and led the league in SLG and OBP.
Defensive Player of the YearCourtney SenasPennsylvania Rebellion.964 fielding percentage with 49 put outs and four assists, the most by an outfielder
Home Run AwardTaylor SchlopyAkron Racers10 HR
Rally Spikes Award[27] Emily AllardChicago Bandits12 SB
NPF Trophy[28] USSSA Florida Pride
Coaching Staff of the YearDallas Charge Head Coach Jennifer McFalls and Assistant Coaches Chez Sievers and Michelle Gromacki
Jennie Finch Award [29] Cat OstermanUSSSA Florida Pride

Notes

All-NPF Team

2015 All-NPF Team[30]
PositionNameTeam
PitcherMonica AbbottChicago Bandits
PitcherCat OstermanUSSSA Florida Pride
Pitcher Jordan TaylorUSSSA Florida Pride
Pitcher Sarah PaulyAkron Racers
CatcherTaylor EdwardsChicago Bandits
1st BaseKaitlyn RichardsonDallas Charge
2nd BaseShelby PendleyUSSSA Florida Pride
3rd BaseAndrea DuranUSSSA Florida Pride
ShortstopJill BarrettAkron Racers
OutfieldKelly KretschmanUSSSA Florida Pride
OutfieldTaylor SchlopyAkron Racers
OutfieldNatasha WatleyUSSSA Florida Pride
At-LargeBrittany CervantesChicago Bandits
At-LargeKelley MontalvoAkron Racers
At-LargeAmber PattonChicago Bandits
At-LargeKristyn SandbergPennsylvania Rebellion
At-LargeMegan WigginsUSSSA Florida Pride
At-LargeTammy WilliamsChicago Bandits

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kayla Lombardo. NPF 'Charges' toward expansion, establishes team in Dallas. www.aol.com. 11 April 2015. 22 Feb 2015.
  2. Web site: NPF and CBS Sports Network Sign Agreement for 2015 Season. National Fastpitch Coaches Association. 6 April 2015.
  3. Web site: Jami Lobpries. USSSA Pride Games to be Aired on Longhorn Network. USSSAPride.com. 27 July 2015. 13 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150722025450/http://usssapride.com/2015/07/13/usssa-pride-games-to-be-aired-on-longhorn-network/. 22 July 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  4. Web site: Joe Tuscano. Osterman no-hits Rebellion for second time in as many years. Observer-Reporter. 13 July 2015. 10 July 2015.
  5. Web site: NPF . Bandits Rout Charge Behind Abbott's Perfect Game . SportsPageMagazine.com . 27 July 2015 . 24 July 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150910044145/http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/content/os/sb-os/c-sb-os/art-c-sb-os/bandits-rout-charge-behind-abbotts-perfect-game.shtml?63463 . 10 September 2015 .
  6. Web site: Bandits Get Another No-Hitter From Monica Abbott. https://archive.today/20160211123355/http://www.journal-topics.com/sports/article_d5bae3ca-3ac2-11e5-a54d-4334a924f994.html. dead. 11 February 2016. Journal & Topics Newspapers Online. 11 August 2015. 4 August 2015.
  7. Web site: Joe Tuscano. Pauly wins 100th, dents Rebellion's playoff hopes. Observer-Reporter.com. 11 August 2015. 8 August 2015.
  8. Web site: League Meeting Yields Changes for 2015 NPF Season. ProFastpitch.com. 30 June 2015. 29 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150613142159/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=2299. 13 June 2015. usurped. dmy-all.
  9. Web site: 2015 NPF Schedule. www.profastpitch.com. 5 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150407164358/http://www.profastpitch.com/schedule/2015schedule/. 7 April 2015. usurped. dmy-all.
  10. Web site: Tbonesbaseball.com. CommunityAmerica Ballpark to host pro fastpitch softball games. Kansas City Kansan. 18 April 2015. 24 March 2015.
  11. Web site: 2015 Schedule. USSAPride.com. 18 April 2015.
  12. Web site: GoPLAYGirls Excited to Welcome the USSSA Pride and Dallas Charge to San Antonio. goplaygirl.com. 18 April 2015. 19 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150418171504/http://www.goplaygirls.org/#!news-and-events/c24vq. 18 April 2015. dead.
  13. Web site: Top Level Pro Softball Coming to York & Lancaster. yorkrevolution.com/. 18 April 2015.
  14. Web site: NPF to play four games at Sparkler/Fireworks tournament. Triple Crown Sports. 18 April 2015. 9 April 2015.
  15. Web site: North American All Sanctioned World Series July 17-19, 2015. FastpitchShowdowns.com. 18 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150418165201/http://www.fastpitchshowdowns.com/midwest-all-sanctioned-world-series---16u-18u-and-18---july-20-21-and-22. 18 April 2015. dead.
  16. Web site: 2015 NPF College Draft Presented by Bownet. ProFastpitch.com. 2015-04-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20150413083547/http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2014%20Website/2015%20NPF%20Draft%20Live%20Event/2015%20Draft%20Info%20for%20Website.pdf. 2015-04-13. usurped.
  17. Web site: Rules of the Draft. ProFastpitch.com. 2015-04-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20150413052802/http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2014%20Website/2015%20NPF%20Draft%20Live%20Event/Rules%20of%20the%20Draft.pdf. 2015-04-13. usurped.
  18. Web site: Jacquie Boatman. Former Olympian, two-time Pitcher of the Year returns to circle for Bandits 2015 season. ChicagoBandits.com. 18 April 2015. 15 April 2015.
  19. Web site: Field Set for 2015 National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924082145/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/?article_id=2421. usurped. September 24, 2015. ProFastpitch.com. 12 August 2015. 10 August 2015.
  20. Web site: Homeruns Take Center Stage in Opening Day of Championship Series. OurSportsCentral.com. 22 August 2015. 14 August 2015.
  21. Web site: Pride Hold on to Sweep Series. OurSportsCentral.com. 22 August 2015. 15 August 2015.
  22. Web site: Bandits Advance to Championship with 5 to 2 Win. OurSportsCentral.com. 22 August 2015. 15 August 2015.
  23. Web site: Bandits Steal Game One 1-0. OurSportsCentral.com. 22 August 2015. 16 August 2015.
  24. Web site: Chicago Bandits bring home NPF championship. Chicago Daily Herald. 22 August 2015. 17 August 2015.
  25. Web site: Monica Abbott Game Log 2015 Playoffs . Stats.805stats.com . 2020-07-01 . 2020-06-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200630075516/https://stats.805stats.com/MyStats/League/Player/SKOUSA001-LEAGUE4/SKOUSA001-PERSON1AY . dead .
  26. Web site: NPF Kicks Off Championship Series With Annual Awards Banquet. https://web.archive.org/web/20150907190012/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/?article_id=2425. usurped. September 7, 2015. ProFastpitch.com. 15 August 2015. 13 August 2015.
  27. The Rally Spikes Award is given to the player with the most stolen bases
  28. The NPF Trophy is awarded to the team with the best regular season record.
  29. The Jennie Finch award is given to the player who best exemplifies the character and qualities of its famous namesake, and who is considered to positively impact the game both on and off the field.
  30. Web site: NPF Kicks Off Championship Series With Annual Awards Banquet. NFCA.org. 15 August 2015. 14 August 2015.