Charge Sign Player of the Year Lauren Haeger

June 9, 2015

June 9, 2015 – McKinney, TX – The Dallas Charge is thrilled to announce the signing of USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, Lauren Haeger. Known as softball’s version of Babe Ruth, Haeger is the only softball player to reach 70 wins as a pitcher and hit at least 70 home runs.

Haeger is perhaps the most well-known player in college softball and not without reason. The Peoria, Arizona native and former Florida Gator garnered more awards in her senior season than most top players gather in a career. In 2015 alone, Haeger was named an NFCA First Team All-American and All-Southeast Region, First Team All-SEC, and the SEC pitcher of the year. Named the Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player, Haeger led Florida to its second National Championship in two years. Haeger is also a nominee for the 2015 softball Honda award.

2015 saw Haeger break both the Florida and SEC records for career home runs when she hit number 66. When the final stats were tallied, Haeger had hit 71 career home runs and won 73 games as a pitcher. In her senior season, Haeger led the Gators in homeruns (19), runs batted-in (71), base on balls (49), intentional walks (7), earned run average (1.23), and wins (32). After such a stellar season, Haeger is excited to continue playing softball at the highest level.

“The World Series was awesome! Being a National Champion twice, there are really no words to describe it. The end of my season was unreal and I’m just excited to keep playing the game that I love. I kind of fell in love with the game again and I’m glad to be out here,” Haeger said.

Selected as the 21^st overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) draft, the Charge will look to Haeger to add depth and leadership in the circle and at the plate.

“We’re super excited about adding Lauren to our roster,” Head Coach Jennifer McFalls said. “She’s obviously coming off of a tremendous season and her collegiate career. But more than anything, she’s a winner. I love her competitive spirit; I’ve really enjoyed watching her as a coach. I’m excited to bring her energy and her passion for the game to the Charge program. I think she’s a great representation of who we are and what we’re about. I think she’s going to be a tremendous asset to us not only just on the mound, but her bat is tremendous so I think she’ll be a really powerful hitter for us and be able to help us out.”

In her three seasons prior to 2015, Haeger was named NFCA All-Southeast Region First Team three times, NFCA First Team All-American in 2013, All-SEC First Team in 2013, and was a member of the SEC All-Freshman and All-Tournament teams in 2012. Haeger looks to waste no time, picking up where she left off.

“I’m excited to be here,” Haeger said. “I had a long day of travel but I’m excited to get out here and play with my teammates. It’s fun to see all my friends, like I get to play against Hannah tonight and that’s going to be exciting. There are a lot of girls on the Pride that I know and I’ve played with Katie Richardson since I was 9 so this is going to be like a cool experience for us. I just think it’s going to be a really fun time.”

 

 

Follow The Charge

The Dallas Charge inaugural season kicked off June 3^rd and features 18 home games. For more information and questions about the Charge, contact us at [email protected] or call 724-CHARGE1 (724-242-7431). You can also follow the Charge at dallascharge.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

About the Dallas Charge

The Dallas Charge will begin competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2015. The Charge will provide elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career and inspire the next generation of professionals. Located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Charge organization and its players are committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism.

 

About National Pro Fastpitch

National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) 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 and has been since 2002.