Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Former Bulldog Leilua Signs Professional Contract
May 10, 2022 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Fa Leilua has signed a professional contract with the Smash It Sports Vipers in the WPF, making her Mississippi State softball's 21st professional player.
Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF) is the official professional softball league in the United States, founded by USA Softball, USSSA, and Smash It Sports. WPF replaces the former NPF and will showcase the best athletes in softball, provide a world-class experience for fans, and connect young girls to their idols.
Leilua was a three-year letterwinner at Mississippi State from 2019-21. She has spent the 2021-22 academic year as the hitting coach for Long Beach City College. The Vikings are currently 29-11 and have advanced to Super Regionals in the CCCAA State Championships.
During her collegiate career, Leilua was a two-time All-Region selection and 2018 NFCA All-American. She closed her career second all-time at State with a .752 slugging percentage holds two of the top three single-season home run totals in MSU history.
Leilua's career batting average (.352) ranks seventh and her on-base percentage (.451) is fifth in MSU history. She is also among the top 10 in career RBIs and fielding percentage. This spring she was one of two designated players to be named to the Bulldogs' 40th Anniversary All-Time Team.
The Vipers are based out of Rochester, New York and are the second team to join the league alongside the longstanding USSSA Pride.
WPF is gearing up for a condensed exhibition-style summer of play. In June 2022, the new league will hit the road to key locations for exhibition games between the Pride and the Vipers franchises. The inaugural season will focus on highlighting the league's launch and attracting new fans and partners.
Leilua joins Mia Davidson, who was selected in the Athletes Unlimited College Draft, as the latest Bulldogs to achieve their professional dreams. State now has 21 professional players in its history, and Samantha Ricketts has instructed nine of them as an assistant or head coach.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF) is the official professional softball league in the United States, founded by USA Softball, USSSA, and Smash It Sports. WPF replaces the former NPF and will showcase the best athletes in softball, provide a world-class experience for fans, and connect young girls to their idols.
Leilua was a three-year letterwinner at Mississippi State from 2019-21. She has spent the 2021-22 academic year as the hitting coach for Long Beach City College. The Vikings are currently 29-11 and have advanced to Super Regionals in the CCCAA State Championships.
During her collegiate career, Leilua was a two-time All-Region selection and 2018 NFCA All-American. She closed her career second all-time at State with a .752 slugging percentage holds two of the top three single-season home run totals in MSU history.
Leilua's career batting average (.352) ranks seventh and her on-base percentage (.451) is fifth in MSU history. She is also among the top 10 in career RBIs and fielding percentage. This spring she was one of two designated players to be named to the Bulldogs' 40th Anniversary All-Time Team.
The Vipers are based out of Rochester, New York and are the second team to join the league alongside the longstanding USSSA Pride.
WPF is gearing up for a condensed exhibition-style summer of play. In June 2022, the new league will hit the road to key locations for exhibition games between the Pride and the Vipers franchises. The inaugural season will focus on highlighting the league's launch and attracting new fans and partners.
Leilua joins Mia Davidson, who was selected in the Athletes Unlimited College Draft, as the latest Bulldogs to achieve their professional dreams. State now has 21 professional players in its history, and Samantha Ricketts has instructed nine of them as an assistant or head coach.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Players Mentioned
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