University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Whaley Selected by OKC Spark in 2023 WPF Draft
4/18/2023 9:39:00 AM | Softball
Whaley Becomes the First Pitt Softball Player to Be Drafted by a Pro Team
PITTSBURGH – Graduate student Yvonne Whaley became the first Pitt Panther to hear her name called at the inaugural Women's Professional Fastpitch Draft Monday night in Oklahoma City, Okla. Whaley was selected as the first pick in the sixth round, 21st overall, by the Oklahoma City Spark.
Whaley is currently batting .442 (50-for-113) on the season and leads the nation with 17 doubles. The Houston, Texas, product is the toughest batter to strikeout in the ACC, fifth toughest batter of any player in the NCAA, recording just three strikeouts in 114 at-bats.
Whaley made an immediate impact after joining the Panthers roster last season. The All-ACC Third Team selection appeared and started in all 41 games at shortstop, leading the team in batting average (.344), hits (45), runs (21) and stolen bases (8). Whaley became the first player since Giorgiana Zeremenko (2018) to hit above .340 in a single season.
The WPF is entering its second year as a league and consists of four teams: Smash It Sports Vipers, USSSA Pride, Oklahoma City Spark and the Texas Smoke. The 2023 WPF season runs from June 15 through August 7 with the playoffs beginning on August 11 and concluding with a three-game championship series August 15-17. Athletes are unable to sign a contract with their respective WPF team until they have exhausted their NCAA eligibility.
Whaley is currently batting .442 (50-for-113) on the season and leads the nation with 17 doubles. The Houston, Texas, product is the toughest batter to strikeout in the ACC, fifth toughest batter of any player in the NCAA, recording just three strikeouts in 114 at-bats.
Whaley made an immediate impact after joining the Panthers roster last season. The All-ACC Third Team selection appeared and started in all 41 games at shortstop, leading the team in batting average (.344), hits (45), runs (21) and stolen bases (8). Whaley became the first player since Giorgiana Zeremenko (2018) to hit above .340 in a single season.
The WPF is entering its second year as a league and consists of four teams: Smash It Sports Vipers, USSSA Pride, Oklahoma City Spark and the Texas Smoke. The 2023 WPF season runs from June 15 through August 7 with the playoffs beginning on August 11 and concluding with a three-game championship series August 15-17. Athletes are unable to sign a contract with their respective WPF team until they have exhausted their NCAA eligibility.
Players Mentioned
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