Emma Johnson Selected by Pennsylvania Rebellion in NPF Draft
4/2/2015 8:44:00 AM | Softball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kent State senior ace Emma Johnson is enjoying one of the best seasons in program history and will have an opportunity to continue her career professionally when the season ends after being selected in the fifth round of the National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF) draft by the Pennsylvania Rebellion on Wednesday (April 1).
The Rebellion used the 25th overall pick on the Groveport, Ohio native, who is just the second Kent State player to be selected in the NPF draft.
"I am really happy for Emma," said Kent State head coach Karen Linder. "This is a great honor for her. She has worked hard over the last four years to become one of the best pitchers in the country. The Rebellion is getting a great pitcher and an even better person."
In her senior season, Johnson has a 10-3 record in the pitcher's circle to lead the Golden Flashes to a 21-6 record and 1.54 ERA, which ranks third in the country. Individually, Johnson ranks third in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (11.8), fifth in shutouts (5), 10th in hits allowed per seven innings (3.81), 14th in ERA (1.14) and 20th in strikeouts (146).
A three-time all-conference selection, Johnson was named Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore in 2013. She also earned All-Mideast Region Second Team honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) that same season.
Johnson joins former Kent State standout Brittney Robinson as the only players in program history to be drafted by the league. Robinson was taken by the Akron Racers during the fifth round of the draft in 2007. While not drafted, Golden Flashes Carla Brookbank, Kim Hamilton and Jessica Toocheck also played for the Racers
Due to NCAA regulations, an active college senior-athlete may not sign with her respective franchise until their 2015 college season is over.
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. 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.
The NPF College Draft featured four rounds of five selections, one round of six and one round of seven picks for a total of 33 overall draftees in the 2015 rookie class. Drafting an athlete gives an NPF affiliate team rights to that athlete for two full seasons.
