Arizona softball’s season is over, but at least four Wildcats will continue their playing careers professionally.
Monday, two Wildcats signed one-year contracts with National Pro Fastpitch teams — All-American Katiyana Mauga (Texas Charge) and reserve first baseman/pitcher Nancy Bowling (Beijing Eagles).
Sunday, shortstop Mo Mercado and Mandie Perez both signed two-year deals with the USSSA Pride, joining a roster that also includes two ex-Wildcats in Hallie Wilson and Chelsea Goodacre.
Mercado, Perez and Mauga were all selected in last month's NPF draft. Pitcher Danielle O'Toole was picked by the Chicago Bandits but will delay the start of her NPF career as she plays for Team USA in the upcoming World Cup of Softball at the beginning of July.
Bowling went undrafted but still received interest from the Eagles, which joined the NPF in April and will be managed by the Chinese Softball Association (CSA) with a roster made up of players currently in the national team pool for CSA, along with a select few American team members. The team will be based in the United States.
USSSA Pride tweeted out this interview with Mercado from practice this week.
It's time to meet newest Pride infielder @MercadoMo out of @UA_Softball! She spoke with @ashlynrsullivan this morning on her new role pic.twitter.com/U8QILlfKYF
— USSSA Pride (@USSSAPride) June 5, 2017
