Owen Opens Second NFP Season with Racers, Saturday
May 29, 2015 | Athletics
AKRON, Ohio – Having completed her first year as a graduate assistant coach for the Mississippi State softball program, Alison Owen will begin her second season with the Akron Racers of National Pro Fastpitch, Saturday.
Owen and the Racers will begin the 2015 season in Washington, Penn. with a two-game series vs. the Pennsylvania Rebellion.
The only professional women's softball league in the United States, NPF consists of five teams: the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Pennsylvania Rebellion, USSSA Pride and expansion team Dallas Charge.
"I am so fortunate to be a small part of such a huge organization," Owen said. "Being a member of the Akron Racers for a second season is something that is very special to me. We are one heart beat and all have the same goal. I am so excited to see what this season holds for the Racers and to see all of our fans, who are a huge part of who we are."
Owen finished her rookie season with 60.1 innings pitched and a 4-2 mark with a 3.48 ERA as the Racers dropped the 2014 Cowles Cup Championship Series to the USSSA Pride.
"Our goal is to simply play softball the way the Akron Racers know how," said Owen. "We will be focused on ourselves and finding ways to improve our game throughout the season. We have one dream and having the opportunity to play pitch by pitch to the best of our abilities is what we plan to do."
Owen is currently working towards a masters in sports administration with an expected graduation date of May 2016. She received her bachelors in human sciences with a specialization in youth studies in May 2014.
"This offseason I worked on maintaining the strength of my arm and constantly practicing my mental training," said Owen. "Being the graduate assistant for Mississippi State, I threw to their hitters on a weekly basis. This helped me prepare mentally and physically for our season."
Owen departed from Mississippi State at the end of the 2014 season ranking within the top three in nearly every career pitching category despite just two years as a Bulldog. Owen established the MSU records for most strikeouts per game (8.83), total strikeouts (473) and strikeouts looking (102).
MSU claims a total of 12 pro softball players all-time. When Owen was signed by the Racers as a free agent in 2014, she became the first Bulldog to go to the NPF since Courtney Bures was drafted 16th overall by the Washington Glory in 2008.
In 2005, Iyhia McMichael led the Racers to a NPF Championship, hitting the game-winning home run off Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch. A year earlier, in 2004, McMichael claimed the league's Most Valuable Player award and Kellie Wilkerson guided the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut to the NPF title.
Throughout the 2015 season, weekly updates will be provided on Owen's season with the Racers on HailState.com.
The Alison Owen File
· National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region Second Team – 2013
· College Sports Madness National Player of the Week – March 5, 2013
· Three-time Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week – Feb. 25, 2013; March 4, 2013; April 14, 2014
· SEC Academic Honor Roll – 2013 & 2014
· Blues City Classic All-Tournament Team – 2013
· MSU Bulldog Battle MVP – 2013
For more information on MSU softball program, follow "HailStateSB" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also find all-access coverage of the Bulldogs on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
