Jami Lobpries
Kissimmee, FL- June 11, 2014- The 2014 NCAA hits leader is officially a member of the USSSA Florida Pride. On Wednesday, Courtney Ceo signed a two-year contract with the Pride. The former University of Oregon All-American was the sixth overall selection in the 2014 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) draft. Ceo is coming off a career year in 2014 where she was a top-10 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year along with Pride teammate Madison Shipman.
“I’m just very blessed and extremely excited to sign with the Pride. It’s a wonderful opportunity not only to play on the team, but to have the ability to play with the other athletes as well. I’m very anxious to be heading out to Flordia” Ceo said after her signing.
As the Ducks leadoff batter, Ceo’s .493 batting average led the nation. The infielder was the 2014 Pac-12 Softball Batting Champion with a conference-leading .481 average. She led the Pac-12 in hits (87), was second in on-base percentage (.527), and tied for fourth in runs scored (54). Ceo was a part of Oregon’s first and only Pac-12 Championship teams and two Women’s College World Series (WCWS) teams. During the 2014 post season run, Ceo was at her best recording a hit in every post season game for the top-seeded Ducks.
“Ceo is a real hard nose competitor that finds a way to get it done. She has great tools and was coached by an outstanding coach in Mike White,” said Pride head coach Gerry Glasco.
In her four year career at Oregon, Ceo posted a .415 career batting average with 15 homeruns, 85 RBIs, and 65 stolen bases. She was named to the All-Pacific Region team four times, was a two-time First Team All-Pac 12 infielder, and a member of the All-Pac 12 Freshman team in 2011. Ceo is Oregon’s all-time hits leader and her .493 season average is the best in program history.
The California-native brings versatility and athleticism to the Pride roster. While at Oregon, she played third base, shortstop, second base, first base, and even caught her sophomore year. The Pride are hoping Ceo will bring her athleticism and competitiveness to the NPF for a long time.
“When we drafted Courtney Ceo we looked at her as a triple threat, someone who could hit for average, who could bunt, and who had power potential as well. What we are getting is the nation’s leading hitter. We are excited about the athleticism and versatility she brings to our lineup. She is a great fit for the Pride organization and a player we hope will be around for a long time” said Don DeDonatis, General Manager of the USSSA Florida Pride.
Ceo is the second 2014 draftee to sign with the Pride.
The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.
About NPF:
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). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.
About USSSA:
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!