USSSA Pride

The USSSA Pride are an independent professional softball team based in Viera, Florida, U.S. Founded in 2009. They previously played in National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) from 2009 to 2019. They play their home games at USSSA Space Coast Complex.

USSSA Pride
Information
League	National Pro Fastpitch (2009–2019) Independent (2020–present)
Location	Viera, Florida
Ballpark	USSSA Space Coast Complex
Year founded	2009
Regular season champion	2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Cowles Cup championships	2010, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
Colors	Navy, red, silver, white
Retired numbers	8, 26
Coach	Mike Stith (Head)
General Manager	Don DeDonatis
Website	USSSAPride.com

The team was established to replace the folded Washington Glory, who played in NPF from 2007 to 2008. They are organized by the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). The Pride won the Cowles Cup championship in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019.

History

2015

Of their selections in the 2015 NPF Draft, the Pride signed All-American and 2013 Big 12 Player of the Year Shelby Pendley of Oklahoma,[1] two-time All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year Emilee Koerner of Notre Dame,[2] and All-American and 2012 Pac-12 Player of the Year Amber Freeman of Arizona State.[3] All-time NCAA Division I homerun champion Lauren Chamberlain signed a three-year deal.[4]

The Pride also signed free agent All-American Chelsea Goodacre of Arizona.[5]

Caitlin Lowe announced her retirement as a player after the 2014 season. Subsequently, the Pride announced that Lowe would be inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame, and that her jersey number 26 would be retired.[6]

2017

The Pride announced that former player and assistant coach Megan Willis was promoted to assistant general manager.[7]

USSSA purchased Space Coast Stadium and announced renovations to make it a center for amateur softball and baseball with 15 fields. It became the Pride's new home stadium, beginning in 2017.[8]

At the Pride's first home game at USSSA Space Coast Stadium, played on June 8, 2017, the team announced that it had retired legendary pitcher Cat Osterman's jersey number "8," commemorating it with a banner on the outfield fence.[9]

2018

The Pride announced the Mike Stith, head coach of the OC BatBusters, would be their coach for 2018. His assistants were Cody Dent, volunteer assistant coach of the Florida Gators softball team, and Andrea Duran, Olympic medalist and former Pride player.[10]

2019

On September 13, 2019, the Pride announced they would not renew their partnership with National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the 2020 season.[11]

General managers

• Don DeDonatis (-present)

All-time head coaches

#	Name	Term	Regular season				Playoffs
			GC	W	L	W%	GC	W	L	W%
1	Gerry Glasco	2014	48	33	15	.688	4	4	0	1.000
2	Mike Davenport	2015	48	34	14	.708	4	2	2	.500
3	Lonni Alameda	2016-17	99	77	22	.778	10	6	4	.600
3	Mike Stith	2018	47	42	5	.894

Season-by-season

Season records

Season	W	L	T	Finish	Playoff results
2009	16	24	0	4th place National Pro Fastpitch	Lost in NPF Semifinals
2010	28	20	0	2nd place National Pro Fastpitch	Won NPF Championship
2011	30	9	0	1st place National Pro Fastpitch	Lost in NPF Finals
2012	31	12	0	1st place National Pro Fastpitch	Faced Chicago Bandits in NPF Finals
2013	34	14	0	2nd place National Pro Fastpitch	Won NPF Championship
2014	33	15	0	1st place National Pro Fastpitch	Won NPF Championship
2015	34	14	0	1st place National Pro Fastpitch	Lost to Chicago Bandits in NPF Finals
2016	37	13	0	1st place National Pro Fastpitch	Lost to Chicago Bandits in NPF Finals
2017	40	9	0	1st place National Pro Fastpitch	Lost to Scrap Yard Dawgs in NPF Finals
2018	42	5	0	1st place National Pro Fastpitch	Won NPF Championship
2019	32	13	0	2nd place National Pro Fastpitch	Won NPF Championship
Totals	357	148	0

Retired numbers

The Pride has retired two jerseys:

• Cat Osterman 8[9]
• Caitlin Lowe 26[6]

Current players

USSSA Pride roster
Active roster (YYYY = Final season of player contract)				Inactive roster		Coaches
Pitchers 10 Keilani Ricketts (2018) 13 Hannah Rogers (2018) 15 Angel Bunner (2018) 16 Jessica Burroughs (2019) 17 Jordan Taylor (2018) 33 Kelsey Nunley (2020) 54 Jolene Henderson (2018)		Catchers    Sahvanna Jaquish (2020)  4 Sydney Broderick (2017) 34 Erica Field (2017) 77 Chelsea Goodacre (2018) Utility players 22 Hallie Wilson (2018) Infielders 11 Alex Powers (2019)  3 GiOnna DiSalvatore (2018)  7 Mo Mercado (2019) 11 Shelby Pendley (2018) 27 Bianka Bell (2018) 28 Andrea Duran (2018) 32 Sierra Romero (2018) 44 Lauren Chamberlain (2018) Outfielders 12 Kelly Kretschman (2019) 24 Kirsti Merritt (2020) 25 Megan Wiggins (2018) 55 Mandie Perez (2019)		Unsigned Draftees (Year Team's Rights Expire) Heather Stearns (2017) Kelly Christner (2018)		Head Coach Gerry Glasco Assistant Coaches Kelsi Dunne Stephanie Ceo Legend * Franchise Player Tag (C) Captain (A) Alternate captain Roster updated February 15, 2018 → All NPF rosters

References

1. Jami Lobpries (29 May 2015). "Shelby Pendley Signs with the USSSA Pride". USSSAPride.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
2. "Irish Great Koerner Inks Contract With USSSA Pride". Notre Dame Fighting Irisg Athletics. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
3. Jami Lobpries (27 May 2015). "Former Arizona State All-American signs with USSSA Pride". USSSAPride.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
4. Jami Lobpries (4 June 2015). "Pride Sign First Overall Draft Pick Lauren Chamberlain". USSSAPride.com. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
5. Richie Melby (31 May 2015). "Former Wildcat Chelsea Goodacre signs pro contract". News4Tucson KVOA.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
6. Jami Lobpries (5 June 2015). "Caitlin Lowe's Legacy Continues with USSSA". USSSAPride.com. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
7. Celia Balf (21 December 2016). "Former USSSA Pride catcher Megan Willis named team's assistant general manager". Excelle Sports. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
8. Dave Berman (27 April 2017). "Space Coast Stadium transforming to youth sports hub". Florida Today. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
9. "usssafloridapride". Instagram. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
10. "Breaking News: Mike Stith of the OC Batbusters Named as USSSA Pride Head Coach". Extra Inning Softball. May 16, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
11. "USSSA Pride Part Ways With The NPF, Opt For Non-Renewal". flosoftball.com. September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.

External links

• Official Site