Feb. 19, 2008

DENVER - Senior shortstop Angelena Mexicano was selected by the Akron Racers in the third round of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) held on Monday. Mexicano will join former first baseman Jenna Hall and shortstop Lindsey Hamma as the only Illini to play in the professional ranks.

"Angelena is going to be a terrific player at the pro level because she loves the game," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "I can't think of a player that would enjoy the opportunity more and I'm sure she'll do great things. We're very proud to of her and how she will represent Illinois softball at the next level."

Mexicano has been a standout since donning the Orange and Blue as a freshman in 2005. A four-year starter, Mexicano has racked up 30 home runs and 109 RBIs, which currently rank second and fifth, respectively, on the career charts. She also ranks among the top ten in school history in several other categories, including hitting (.272), slugging percentage (.510), stolen base percentage (.875) and doubles (32).

In 2007, Mexicano and teammate Shanna Diller, set a new single-season school record with 16 home runs each. The San Jose, Calif., native has wasted no time picking up where she left off, with three home runs, seven RBIs and seven runs scored through 10 games of the 2008 season.

"Angelena has some big shoes to fill with the loss of Kristin Johnson, but I believe she has the quickness and the glove skills to be successful at the pro level," Joey Arrietta, Akron Racers President/GM, said. "Offensively, she fits perfectly into the Racers' run-and-gun offense."

Each team had at least three selections in the four-round draft, with the Akron Racers holding a league-high six picks. There was also a lot of movement prior to draft day in terms of the final order, with 14 of the 24 picks changing hands between the teams.

NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf spoke of the senior draft, as not only a way to spotlight the top college talent from across the county, but as a great opportunity for those players to mature in the most competitive league possible.

"Once again, the NPF draft showcases the top talent in college softball," stated Kempf. "It will be exciting to see these athletes mature as professional players, within the most competitive environment in the sport- the National Pro Fastpitch League."

Due to NCAA regulations, an active college senior-athlete is not eligible to sign with her respective franchise until their 2008 season is completed.

2008 NPF SENIOR DRAFT RESULTS
Round 1
1 (1) - Philadelphia Force - Katie Burkhart, Pitcher, Arizona State
2 (2) - Philadelphia Force - Megan Gibson, Pitcher, Texas A&M
3 (3) - Akron Racers - Angela Tincher, Pitcher, Virginia Tech
4 (4) - New England Riptide - Selden, Pitcher, UCLA
5 (5) - Rockford Thunder - Savannah Brown, Catcher, Georgia Tech
6 (6) - Washington Glory - Taryne Mowatt, Pitcher, Arizona

Round 2
1 (7) - Chicago Bandits - Rachel Folden, Catcher, Marshall
2 (8) - Philadelphia Force - Savannah Long, Infielder, Oklahoma
3 (9) - Chicago Bandits - Emily Nichols, Catcher, Iowa
4 (10) - Chicago Bandits - Aileen Morales, Shortstop, Georgia Tech
5 (11) - Akron Racers - Kate Robinson, Pitcher/First Base, Hawaii
6 (12) - Rockford Thunder - Lauren Eckermann, Pitcher, Oklahoma

Round 3
1 (13) - Rockford Thunder - Tonya Callahan, First Base, Tennessee
2 (14) - New England Riptide - TJ Eadus, Catcher, Creighton
3 (15) - Akron Racers - Shannon Doepking, Catcher, Tennessee
4 (16) - Washington Glory - Courtney Bures, Shortstop, Mississippi State
5 (17) - Akron Racers - Angelena Mexicano, Shortstop, Illinois
6 (18) - Akron Racers- Susan Ogden, Catcher, Oklahoma

Round 4
1 (19) - Rockford Thunder - Sandy Vojik, Utility, DePaul
2 (20) - Rockford Thunder - Beth Boden, Shortstop, Tennessee Tech
3 (21) - Philadelphia Force - Tory Yamaguchi, Catcher, Indiana
4 (22) - New England Riptide - Jordan Praytor, Utility, Alabama
5 (23) - Akron Racers - Brittany Barnes, Infielder, Georgia Tech
6 (24) - Washington Glory - Cambria Miranda, Utility, Oregon State