2023 Women's Professional Fastpitch season

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LeagueWomen's Professional Fastpitch
SportFastpitch softball
DurationJune 15, 2023 – August 13, 2023
Teams4
2023 WPF season
LeagueWomen's Professional Fastpitch
SportFastpitch softball
DurationJune 15, 2023 – August 13, 2023
Teams4
2023 WPF College Draft
Top draft pickAlex Storako
Picked byOKC Spark
Regular season
Season championsTexas Smoke
Season MVPJanae Jefferson
Championship Series and Playoffs
ChampionsTexas Smoke (1st title)
  Runners-upUSSSA Pride
Finals MVPJanae Jefferson
WPF seasons

The 2023 WPF season was the first season of competition for the Women's Professional Fastpitch. Four WPF teams competed in this season:Smash It Sports Vipers, USSSA Pride, Oklahoma City Spark and Texas Smoke.

Team City Stadium Head coach
Oklahoma City Spark Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium Amber Flores
Smash It Sports Vipers Oxford, Alabama Choccolocco Park Gerry Glasco
Texas Smoke Austin, Texas Roberts Family Field Concordia University Texas Tori Tyson
USSSA Pride Viera, Florida USSSA Space Coast Complex Kelly Kretschman
Women's Pro Fastpitch teams

WPF announced the addition of Oklahoma City Spark as an expansion team for 2023.[1] Seminole State College softball head coach Amber Flores will be their coach.[2] On November 7 the Spark announced their home games would be played at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.[3]


Jocelyn Alo was traded to Oklahoma City Spark by Smash It Sports Vipers in exchange for draft picks and cash considerations.[4] Oh Jan 25, 2023, the Vipers announced their home stadium for the 2023 season will be Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama.[5]

WPF announced the addition of a second expansion team for 2023 in Texas. Former MLB player Brandon Phillips is their owner.[6] The team name was revealed be the Texas Smoke, with their home in Austin, Texas. Professional wrestler Jade Cargill was later announced as co-owner of the Smoke. Howard Bison softball coach Tori Tyson was named the Smoke's head coach.[7] On April 28, 2023, the Smoke announced their 2023 home field will Roberts Family Field at Concordia University Texas.[8]

Transactions

Drafts

2023 WPF expansion draft

WPF held a expansion draft to help stock to rosters of the Smoke and the Spark with certain players from the Pride and Vipers. Following are the picks:[9]

Expansion draft results

# Team Player Previous Team Date Signed
1 Texas Smoke Morgan Howe Smash It Sports Vipers March 9, 2023[10]
2 Oklahoma City Spark Keely Rochard USSSA Pride
3 Texas Smoke Samantha Show USSSA Pride March 9, 2023[11]
4 Oklahoma City Spark Fa Leilua Smash It Sports Vipers
5 Texas Smoke Shelbi Sunseri Smash It Sports Vipers March 9, 2023[12]
6 Spark waived their pick
7 Texas Smoke Ciara Bryan Smash It Sports Vipers March 9, 2023[13]
8 Spark waived their pick

2023 WPF college draft

The 2023 WPF college draft took place on April 17, 2023 at the Yale Theatre in Oklahoma City. All four WPF teams participated in a six-round draft, claiming 24 players.[14]

Key

# Denotes player who has not appeared in a competitive WPF game


Round Pick Player Pos. WPF team College Notes Date signed
Round 1 1 Alex StorakoPSparkOklahomaJune 13, 2023[15]
2 Baylee KlinglerIFSmokeWashingtonJune 11, 2023[16]
3 Ashley RogersPVipersTennesseeJune 11, 2023[17]
4 Megan Faraimo #PPrideUCLA
Round 2 5 Rachel Becker #VipersOklahoma State[R2 trade 1]
6 Kathryn Sandercock #SmokeFSU
7 Ally Shipman #VipersAlabama
8 Kayla KowalikPrideKentuckyMay 31, 2023[19]
Round 3 9 Chenice DelceSparkArkansasMay 29, 2023[20]
10 Autumn PeaseSmokeMinnesotaJune 1, 2023[21]
11 Kiley Naomi #VipersOklahoma State
12 Brooke Yanez #PrideUCLA
Round 4 13 Haley LeeSparkOklahoma
14 Charla EcholsSmokeFloridaJune 6, 2023[22]
15 Makena SmithVipersCaliforniaJune 7, 2023[23]
16 Allee BunkerPrideOregonJune 8, 2023[24]
Round 5 17 Donnie GobourneSparkSouth CarolinaMay 25, 2023[25]
18 Mack Leonard #SmokeFSU
19 Karly HeathVipersLouisianaJune 7, 2023[23]
20 Caroline Jacobsen #PrideClemson
Round 6 21 Yvonne WhaleySparkPittMay 22, 2023[26]
22 Grace Turk #SmokeOklahoma
23 Montana Fouts #VipersAlabama
24 Jordyn RuddPrideNorthwesternJune 4, 2023[27]

Free agency

The table below shows the signings of free agents for the 2023 season.

Date Player Team
September 16, 2022Michelle Moultrie[28]OKC Spark
December 19, 2022Chelsea Alexander[29]OKC Spark
December 29, 2022Chelsea Gonzales[30]SIS Vipers
Taran Alvelo[30]SIS Vipers
Mary Iakopo[30]SIS Vipers
December 30, 2022Sydney Sherrill[31]OKC Spark
January 3, 2023Lynnsie Elam[32]OKC Spark
January 18, 2023Janae Jefferson[33]Texas Smoke
January 19, 2023Keilani Ricketts[34]OKC Spark
February 8, 2023Sierra Hyland[35]SIS Vipers
February 18, 2023Alyssa Rivera[36]Texas Smoke
February 23, 2023Jordan Dail[37]Texas Smoke
February 23, 2023Shelby Pendley[38]USSSA Pride
March 9, 2023Sahvanna Jaquish[39]Texas Smoke
March 11, 2023Marta Gasparotto[40]Texas Smoke
March 13, 2023AnaMarie Bruni[41]Texas Smoke
March 17, 2023Ally Carda[42]USSSA Pride
May 15, 2023Delaney Spaulding[43]USSSA Pride
May 17, 2023Ellen Roberts[44]USSSA Pride
May 18, 2023Rylee Bayless[45]OKC Spark
May 19, 2023Ali Aguilar[46]USSSA Pride
May 23, 2023Emily Watson[47]OKC Spark
June 4, 2023Taylor Roby[48]USSSA Pride
June 5, 2023Chloe Malau'ulu[49]OKC Spark
June 7, 2023Kelli Godin[50]USSSA Pride
June 7, 2023Meghan Schorman[23]SIS Vipers

Trades

November 3, 2022 To OKC Spark

Jocelyn Alo

 To Smash It Sports Vipers

Draft picks and cash considerations

Retired

Date Player
August 6, 2022 Jordan Taylor[51]
August 6, 2022 Chelsea Goodacre[52]
April 7, 2023 Haley Cruse[53]

Rosters

USSSA Pride

USSSA Pride roster
PlayersCoaches
Pitchers
 Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


 Manager


Smash It Sports Vipers

Smash It Sports Vipers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pitchers
 Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


 Manager


Oklahoma City Spark

Oklahoma City Spark roster
PlayersCoaches
Pitchers
 Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


 Manager


Texas Smoke

Texas Smoke roster
PlayersCoaches
Pitchers
 Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


 Manager

Coaches

  • Monique White
  • Cat Tarvin


Standings

League standings

Source:[54]

Team GP W L Pct. RS RA DIFF
Texas Smoke 36 22 14 .611 177 129 +48
Oklahoma City Spark 35 21 14 .600 144 153 -9
USSSA Pride 34 18 16 .529 129 118 +11
Smash It Sports Vipers 35 9 26 .257 103 153 -50

Schedule

All stats come from

Legend
 Postponement
BoldWinning team

Game log

June
Date Visiting team Score Home team Venue Win Loss Save
6/15/2023USSSA Pride2-3Texas SmokeAustin, TX
6/15/2023SIS VipersOKC SparkEdmond, OK
6/16/2023USSSA Pride0-6Texas SmokeAustin, TX
6/16/2023SIS Vipers1-2OKC SparkEdmond, OK
6/17/2023USSSA Pride1-4Texas SmokeAustin, TX
6/17/2023SIS Vipers3-4OKC SparkEdmond, OK
6/19/2023SIS Vipers3-5Texas SmokeAustin, TX
6/19/2023USSSA Pride0-7OKC SparkEdmond, OK
6/20/2023SIS Vipers0-10Texas SmokeAustin, TX
6/20/2023USSSA Pride3-6OKC SparkEdmond, OK
6/21/2023SIS VipersTexas SmokeAustin, TX
6/21/2023USSSA Pride3-6OKC SparkEdmond, OK
6/23/2023Texas Smoke6-2SIS VipersOxford, AL
6/23/2023OKC SparkUSSSA PrideViera, FL
6/24/2023Texas Smoke0-6SIS VipersOxford, AL
6/24/2023OKC Spark6-3USSSA PrideViera, FL
6/25/2023Texas Smoke6-5SIS VipersOxford, AL
6/25/2023OKC Spark1-3USSSA PrideViera, FL
6/27/2023Texas Smoke3-4 (10 Innings)USSSA PrideViera, FL
6/27/2023OKC Spark3-0SIS VipersOxford, AL
6/28/2023Texas Smoke2-1 (9 innings)USSSA PrideViera, FL
6/28/2023OKC Spark1-4SIS VipersOxford, AL
6/29/2023Texas Smoke12-6 (10 innings)USSSA PrideViera, FL
6/29/2023OKC Spark3-2SIS VipersOxford, AL
July
Date Visiting team Score Home team Venue Win Loss Save
7/1/2023Texas Smoke5-1OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/1/2023USSSA Pride8-3SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/2/2023Texas Smoke4-5OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/2/2023USSSA Pride6-1SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/3/2023Texas Smoke6-3OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/3/2023USSSA Pride8-0 (6 innings)SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/10/2023Texas Smoke5-6USSSA PrideEvansville, IN
7/10/2023OKC Spark7-4SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/11/2023Texas Smoke1-2USSSA PrideEvansville, IN
7/11/2023OKC Spark9-11 (8 innings)SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/12/2023Texas Smoke4-7USSSA PrideEvansville, IN
7/12/2023OKC Spark0-8 (5 innings)SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/14/2023OKC Spark2-5Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/15/2023OKC Spark2-0Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/16/2023OKC Spark4-1Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/16/2023SIS Vipers0-2USSSA PrideShawnee, KS
7/17/2023SIS Vipers4-0USSSA PrideShawnee, KS
7/18/2023SIS Vipers0-1USSSA PrideShawnee, KS
7/20/2023SIS Vipers7-6Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/20/2023SIS Vipers0-5Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/20/2023OKC Spark4-2USSSA PridePeoria, IL
7/21/2023SIS Vipers2-6Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/21/2023OKC Spark5-6 (10 innings)USSSA PridePeoria, IL
7/22/2023SIS Vipers8-10Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/22/2023OKC Spark0-6USSSA PridePeoria, IL
7/24/2023USSSA Pride11-5Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/24/2023SIS Vipers3-7OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/25/2023USSSA Pride1-4Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/25/2023SIS Vipers6-2OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/26/2023SIS Vipers1-7OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/26/2023USSSA Pride1-2 (9 innings)Texas SmokeAustin, TX
7/26/2023SIS Vipers1-4OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/28/2023Texas Smoke6-5 (8 innings)SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/28/2023USSSA Pride3-4OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/29/2023Texas Smoke3-1SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/29/2023USSSA Pride6-4OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
7/30/2023Texas Smoke4-0SIS VipersOxford, AL
7/30/2023USSSA Pride15-4 (5 innings)OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
August
Date Visiting team Score Home team Venue Win Loss Save
8/1/2023Texas Smoke5-6OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
8/1/2023SIS Vipers4-5 (9 innings)USSSA PrideViera, FL
8/2/2023Texas Smoke8-1OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
8/2/2023SIS Vipers1-2USSSA PrideViera, FL
8/3/2023Texas Smoke8-9OKC SparkOklahoma City, OK
8/3/2023SIS Vipers6-0USSSA PrideViera, FL
8/5/2023OKC Spark5-10Texas SmokeAustin, TX
8/5/2023USSSA Pride0-1SIS VipersOxford, AL
8/6/2023OKC Spark7-6 (10 innings)Texas SmokeAustin, TX
8/6/2023USSSA Pride5-0SIS VipersOxford, AL
8/7/2023OKC Spark3-1Texas SmokeAustin, TX
8/7/2023USSSA PrideSIS VipersOxford, AL

Statistical leaders

2023 WPF Playoffs and Championships

The 2023 WPF Playoffs and Championships were held at Signature Field at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama August 9–13. All four teams qualify and were seeded based on the final standings. The first seed played the fourth seed on a best-of-three series, and the second seed played the third seed in another best-of-three series. The winners played each other in a best-of-three series that determined the champion.


WPF Semifinals (Best-of-3) WPF Championship (Best-of-3)
      
1 Texas Smoke 2
4 Smash It Sports Vipers 1
1 Texas Smoke 2
3 USSSA Pride 0
2 Oklahoma City Spark 0
3 USSSA Pride 2

Source:[55]

2023 WPF Semifinals
USSSA Pride defeat Oklahoma City Spark 2-0
GameDateScoreSeries
(USSSA-OKC)
1August 9USSSA Pride 1, Oklahoma City Spark 01-0
2August 10USSSA Pride 2, Oklahoma City Spark 02-0
2023 WPF Semifinals
Texas Smoke defeat Smash It Sports Vipers 2-1
GameDateScoreSeries
(SIS-TEX)
1August 10Smash It Sports Vipers 2, Texas Smoke 01-0
2August 10Smash It Sports Vipers 4, Texas Smoke 61-1
3August 11Smash It Sports Vipers 1, Texas Smoke 21-2
2023 WPF Championship Series
Texas Smoke defeat USSSA Pride 2-0
GameDateScoreSeries
(USSSA-TEX)
1August 12USSSA Pride 4, Texas Smoke 50-1
2August 13USSSA Pride 2, Texas Smoke 140-2


2023 WPF Championship Series MVP
Player Club
Janae Jefferson[56] Texas Smoke

Women's Professional Fastpitch Awards Night

Source:[57]

Award Player Team
Player of the Year Janae Jefferson Texas Smoke
Pitcher of the Year Autumn Pease Texas Smoke
Rookie of the Year Kayla Kowalik USSSA Pride
Defensive Player of the Year Sydney Sherrill Oklahoma City Spark
Offensive Player of the Year Morgan Howe Texas Smoke
Stolen Base Leader Kayla Kowalik USSSA Pride
Coaching Staff of the Year Texas Smoke -- Tori Tyson (HEAD COACH), Monique White (ASSISTANT COACH), Cat Tavin (ASSISTANT COACH)
2023 All-WPF Team
Position Name Team
InfieldFa LeiluaOklahoma City Spark
InfieldJanae JeffersonTexas Smoke
InfieldAli AguilarUSSSA Pride
InfieldCharla EcholsTexas Smoke
InfieldSydney SherrillOklahoma City Spark
OutfieldMichelle MoultrieOklahoma City Spark
OutfieldMorgan HoweTexas Smoke
OutfieldKayla KowalikUSSSA Pride
PitcherSamantha ShowTexas Smoke
PitcherAutumn PeaseTexas Smoke
PitcherAlly CardaUSSSA Pride
PitcherHope TrautweinUSSSA Pride
At-LargeBaylee KlinglerTexas Smoke
At-LargeJocelyn AloOklahoma City Spark
At-LargeMakena SmithSmash It Sports Vipers
At-LargeSilentRain EspinozaUSSSA Pride
At-LargeSuzy BrookshireSmash It Sports Vipers
At-LargeDonnie GobourneOklahoma City Spark
At-LargeHaley LeeOklahoma City Spark


Trade Notes

References

External links

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