GiOnna DiSalvatore Signs With Pride

gionna1Kissimmee, FL- USSSA Florida Pride General Manager Don DeDonatis announced today the signing of former Carolina Diamonds first baseman, GiOnna DiSalvatore. DiSalvatore brings an extremely disciplined and powerful bat to an already explosive and talented Pride lineup in 2013. Her acquisition fills a hole left in the lineup by the departure of Jessica Mendoza.

In 2012, DiSalvatore surged for the Diamonds in a season that saw her hit .331 with 9 homeruns and 23 RBI. She finished in the top 10 of the NPF in average and homeruns, and 11th in RBI.

“It’s an honor to be part of such a prestigious team, as I looked up to a lot of these players when I was younger. I am so excited now to be wearing the same jersey as them,” DiSalvatore said shortly after signing at USSSA Pride Headquarters.

“I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to have DiSalvatore join the USSSA Pride” stated Don DeDonatis USSSA Pride General Manager. “Trying to replace the best left handed hitter to ever play this game is a tall order to fill” continued DeDonatis, referring to former Olympic Gold Medalist and NPF MVP Jessica Mendoza. “DiSalvatore is a proven player that brings, not only an exceptional batting average to the Pride, but the ability to hit for power as well. We are all very excited to have a player of this caliber join the USSSA Pride Family”.

DiSalvatore will fit into an already extremely disciplined Pride lineup, and already has a lot in common with her new team; she wants to win. “My ultimate goal with this team is to bring the title home in 2013.”

About USSSA Florida 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!