Marshall University Alumni Association

Williams sisters drafted by National Pro Fastpitch's Comcast Chicago Bandits

Three-time All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch is team's top returning pitcher in 2006

Jessica Williams

They have single-handedly rewritten the Marshall softball record book. Now, they have become the first players in program history to have the opportunity to play professional softball.

Senior sisters Amanda and Jessica Williams (Powder Springs, Ga./Harrison) were drafted in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, by the Comcast Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch in the 2006 Senior Draft Wednesday.

Because of NCAA regulations, an active college senior student-athlete may not sign with her respective franchise or pursue any available roster spot on her assigned team until she has completely exhausted her eligibility. Senior draft rights expire August 31, 2006.

Amanda Williams

The Williams sisters join former three-time All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch, who returns as the top pitcher to the 2005 NPF Regular Season champions. Finch wrapped up her inaugural NPF season with a perfect 14-0 record, earning the league's top pitching and All-Star honors.

Amanda Williams was a three-time First Team All-Mid American Conference and NFCA All-Mideast Region selection. In 2003, she was named MAC Freshman of the Year. Amanda is the school's all-time leader in career batting average, runs scored, doubles, RBI and total bases.

Jessica Williams was a three-time All-MAC selection, garnering first team honors in 2004 and second team honors in 2003 and 2005. Jessica ranks fourth all-time in career hits.

Major League Baseball is the Official Development Partner of National Professional Fastpitch in the category of women's professional fastpitch softball. The partnership, which began the fall of 2002, is part of The Commissioner's Initiative on Women and Baseball, a league-wide effort to help Major League Baseball and the 30 Major League Clubs build stronger relationships with female audiences.

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Denver, Colo. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL).

ChicagoBandits.com and ProFastPitch.com contributed to this release.