Kissimmee, FL –July 13, 2015- For the first time ever, National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) games will be aired on the Longhorn Network (LHN) during the USSSA Pride’s home stretch at ESPN Wide World of Sports. The Pride is set to face the Chicago Bandits, Pennsylvania Rebellion and Akron Racers during this seven game schedule starting July 15th. The ESPN3 airing schedule is as follows:
Wednesday – 7/15/15 – 8:00pm (ET) – Chicago Bandits vs. USSSA Pride
Thursday – 7/16/15 – 7:00pm (ET) – Chicago Bandits vs. USSSA Pride
Saturday – 7/18/15 – 8:00pm (ET) – Pennsylvania Rebellion vs. USSA Pride
Sunday – 7/19/15 – 8:00pm (ET) – Pennsylvania Rebellion vs. USSSA Pride
Monday – 7/20/15 – 7:00pm (ET) – Pennsylvania Rebellion vs. USSSA Pride
Tuesday – 7/21/15 – 7:00pm (ET) – Pennsylvania Rebellion vs. USSSA Pride
Saturday – 7/25/15 – 7:00pm (ET) – Akron Racers vs. USSSA Pride
The Longhorn Network is a joint partnership between the University of Texas at Austin, ESPN and IMG College, and is operated by ESPN. The network, which launched in August of 2011, focuses on the Texas Longhorns varsity sports teams as well as following Longhorn alumni through their professional careers.
The Pride roster and the NPF feature some of the greatest players and coaches in Texas softball history such as Megan Willis, Cat Osterman, Breja’e Washington, Taylor Thom (Dallas Charge), Nadia Taylor (Dallas Charge), Mandy Ogle (PA Rebellion), and Dallas Charge head coach Jenn McFalls and assistant coach Chez Sievers.
Cat Osterman and battery mate Megan Willis both enter their 8th season in the NPF. Willis set University and Big 12 single season records for putouts in her four years at Texas and Osterman, who led the Longhorns to three Women’s College World Series (WCWS), is a 2-time ESPY winner for Best College Female Athlete, and a Honda Award winner. Additionally, Breja’e Washington enters her 2nd season in the NPF and still holds six offensive career records at Texas including the all-time hit record.
Dallas Charge head coach Jenn McFalls’ just finished her fifth year as an assistant coach at the University of Texas. Chez Sievers recently returned to the Austin area and started her own business called Smart Softball after graduating from Texas in 2006 where she too helped lead the Longhorns to three WCWS wins.
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 the 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: USSSA is 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.