April 6, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State senior second baseman Kara Nelson became the first ISU softball player drafted in the National Pro Fastpitch rookie draft, when the Chicago Bandits selected her in the fifth round of the annual draft in Orlando, Fla.
"Nelson is a dual threat in the field and at the plate," said Bandits General Manager Aaron Moore. "She has consistently proven that she knows how to hit, and her defensive coverage and speed makes her a great defender up the middle."
Nelson currently leads the Missouri Valley Conference with a .426 batting average and is tied for second in the league with three triples. The Moline, Ill., native has also legged out six doubles and driven in 14 in her senior campaign. Nelson became Illinois State's all-time hits leader earlier this season in Orlando, Fla., when she recorded her 248th career hit, surpassing former Redbird All-American Priscilla Welch.
Six other Illinois State players have played professional softball, with the latest being current Redbird pitching coach Shannon Nicholson. Nicholson played for the Akron Racers of the NPF in 2008.
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