Softball's Angel Bunner Taken 17th Overall In National Pro Fastpitch Draft - AuburnTigers.com

Softball's Angel Bunner Taken 17th Overall In National Pro Fastpitch Draft Bunner is first Auburn softball player even taken in NPF Draft

Angel Bunner earned SEC All-Tournament Team honors in 2011.

March 7, 2012

Auburn, Ala. - Auburn senior pitcher Angel Bunner was selected 17th overall by the Carolina Diamonds of the National Pro Fastpitch 2012 Draft. Bunner is the first Auburn softball player ever taken in the NPF draft and was one of only four players taken from the Southeastern Conference in the 2012 draft.

"This is a dream come true for me," Bunner said. "I love playing this game and to have the opportunity to continue playing once my college career is over is an incredible opportunity."

A native of Fairless Hills, Pa., Bunner is fifth in Auburn history with 36 career wins and ninth with 274 career strikeouts. This season, Bunner is 6-0 with a 1.00 ERA with 35 strikeouts and just six walks in 42.0 innings of work.

In the Southeastern Conference, Bunner is fourth in ERA, second with an .143 opponent batting average, tied for eighth in wins, tied for fifth in fewest hits allowed with 21, tied for fourth in fewest runs allowed with seven, tied for sixth in fewest earned runs allowed with six and second in fewest walks issued.

"I am extremely happy for Angel," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for her and she is very deserving. She is the first player we've had taken in the draft and that is something that makes this even more special for Angel, her teammates and this program. We are all very proud of her."

The National Pro Fastpitch league began in 2004. Each year, the NPF holds a player draft of college seniors. Just by being a college senior, a player is eligible to be drafted. However, only the top percent of elite senior players will be drafted.

Drafted players can be signed to contracts after their college eligibility is exhausted. Individual teams may also host regional tryouts during the late winter and early spring months of each season to fill available roster spots.

Four Teams competed in the NPF in 2011; Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, USSSA Florida Pride, and the NPF Diamonds. The schedule included a 40-game regular season for each of the four NPF Teams. The NPF Spring Training Camp for all teams begins in mid-to-late May. League play begins in early June and ends in mid-August, followed by the NPF Championship Series.

For more information on the National Pro Fastpitch league, go to www.profastpitch.com.