Feb. 10, 2010
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech's Amberly Waits recorded another program first Wednesday night when the senior shortstop was selected by the Chicago Bandits with the eighth overall pick in the 2010 National Pro Fastpitch College Senior Draft.
Waits was taken by the Bandits with the final pick of the second round of the five-round draft which was held in Kissimmee, Florida.
"I am honored to be drafted by the Chicago Bandits," Waits said. "Playing professional softball has always been a dream of mine since I started playing t-ball when I was little."
Waits adds this honor to an already impressive resume that includes being the first LA Tech player to ever be named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, an honor she garnered last season after a record-breaking performance.
"This is an exciting first for our program," said Tech head coach Sarah Dawson. "Amberly is in good company with the impressive caliber of players that are being drafted in this league. This is a very significant recognition for the success she has had the last few years. I'm glad there is an opportunity for women to play softball beyond college, and that Amberly is able to take advantage of this opportunity."
Waits earned first team all-WAC, first team all-state and all-region honors last year while being named the conference Player of the Year and the State Hitter of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
She set program records for batting average (.488), hits (81), home runs (17), total bases (155), RBI (62) and slugging percentage (.934). In just three seasons, Waits already owns the Lady Techster career records for batting average (.388), triples (17), total bases (358) and RBI (129).
The Cleburne, Texas native also ranks in the Top 10 in hits (206), runs (105), doubles (40), and home runs (26).
"This is a great pick for the Bandits," said General Manager Aaron Moore. "Amberly is going to come in here and make an immediate impact for us. We're looking forward to what she can do in all phases of the game."
Waits, who was named the WAC Preseason Player of the Year last week and the MVP of the LA Tech all-Decade team this week, will lead Louisiana Tech into its season opener Tuesday when the Lady Techsters host Southeastern Louisiana in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.
2010 National Pro Fastpitch College Senior Draft
First Round
1. Charlotte Morgan (Alabama) USSSA Pride
2. Molly Johnson (Kentucky) Tennessee Diamonds
3. Melissa Roth (Louisville) USSSA Pride
4. Nikki Nemitz (Michigan) Chicago Bandits
Second Round
5. Amber Flores (Oklahoma) Chicago Bandits
6. Becca Heteniak (DePaul) Tennessee Diamonds
7. Sam Marder (Ohio State) Akron Racers
8. Amberly Waits (LA Tech) Chicago Bandits
Third Round
9. Francesca Enea (Florida) USSA Pride
10. Lauren Johnson (Texas) Tennessee Diamonds
11. Megan Langenfeld (UCLA) Akron Racers
12. Neena Bryant (Oregon) Chicago Bandits
Fourth Round
13. Alissa Haber (Stanford) USSSA Pride
14. Carly Winn (Florida State) Tennessee Diamonds
15. Rachel Mitchell (LSU) Chicago Bandits
16. Christine Knauer (UNC) Chicago Bandits
Fifth Round
17. Liane Horiuchi (Purdue) Akron Racers
18. Kristen Wadwell (Louisville) Tennessee Diamonds
19. Kaila Shull (UCLA) Akron Racers
20. Angela Findlay (Michigan) Chicago Bandits
