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Former UCF Softball All-American pitcher Shelby Turnier made history on Wednesday night as she became the first Knight ever to earn All-NPF honors.
Congratulations to Shelby Turnier, @shelbyturnier7, on her Easton All-NPF Pitcher selection
— NationalProFastpitch (@profastpitch) August 16, 2018
-@Chicago_Bandits @UCF_Softball @EastonFastpitch #Easton #NPFCS18 #NPF2018 #profastpitch pic.twitter.com/BO5XS8jDUh
Turnier is one of five UCF Softball players to play in National Pro Fastpitch, which has been around for 15 years now.
Stephanie Best played in the NPF from 2005-2009, winning the NPF Championship in 2007 with the Washington Glory.
Allison Kime played with the Rockford Thunder (2008-2009) winning the NPF Championship in 2009, beating her former UCF teammate Breanne Javier and the USSSA Pride.
Javier played one season with the Pride in 2009, while Kahley Novak played with the Dallas Charge for two seasons (2015-2016).
Lots of friendly faces among this crew.
— Chicago Bandits (@Chicago_Bandits) August 16, 2018
Presenting the 2018 All-NPF Team:
- @dinakwit #CatchOn pic.twitter.com/RbpfSByuch
National recognition is nothing new for Turnier, who became first UCF player ever to be named as an All-American and finish as a finalist for College Player of the Year in 2015. Turnier was the first UCF player to lead the NCAA in ERA with 0.87 in 2015, edging out her teammate Mackenzie Audas (0.95).
In her third season in the NPF with the Chicago Bandits, Turnier has had her best season to date, going 5-0 in the regular season with a 1.12 ERA, which ranked 8th in the NPF. She also recorded an impressive 46 strikeouts to only 5 walks in 50 innings pitched. Turnier also had 3 saves, which was tops in the NPF as she has been used as both a closer and as a starter.
This week, Turnier leads the Bandits in the best-of-five NPF Championship Series against the USSSA Pride at their home field in Rosemont, Illinois. Turnier is in search of her second NPF Championship as she helped lead the Bandits to the championship in 2016, upsetting the Pride. She pitched against the Pride in Viera back in late July, going three shutout innings in a Bandits victory.
The NPF Championship Series will be televised on ESPN+ with Game 1 on Thursday night at 8 p.m. Eastern. Game 2 is slated for Friday night at 8 p.m., with Game 3 Saturday at 6 p.m. If necessary, Games 4 and 5 would be played on Sunday and Monday, respectively.