The 2023 Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF) draft saw the USSSA Pride selecting Kentucky Softball catcher, Kayla Kowalik, as the No. 8 overall pick. Kowalik’s selection marked the final pick of the second round in the draft, which took place on Monday night at The Yale Theatre in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Fans of the league were able to tune into the live broadcast on the WPF’s official YouTube page.
Once her eligibility with the University of Kentucky concludes following the 2023 NCAA Softball season, Kowalik will have the chance to sign with the USSSA Pride. The Viera, Florida-based team is coached by Kelly Kretschman and has a storied history in both the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch) and WPF leagues. The Pride has won the regular-season championship seven times in the NPF, including a remarkable five-year streak from 2014 to 2018.
Kowalik will be joining the ranks of former UK Wildcat, Abbey Cheek, who currently plays for the USSSA Pride. As a member of the team, she’ll have the opportunity to compete in the WPF, the only women’s professional fastpitch league in the United States. The league is backed by both USA Softball and USSSA, with a season that runs from June 15 to August 7. The three-game championship series is scheduled for August 15-17.
The 2023 WPF draft marks an exciting moment for Kowalik, as she prepares to transition from her successful collegiate career to the professional level. Her talent and dedication to the sport of softball are sure to make a significant impact on the USSSA Pride team, which is already known for its championship-winning legacy. Fans of the WPF and the USSSA Pride will undoubtedly be eager to see Kowalik’s contributions to the team in the upcoming season.
