Softball: Hubbard settling in with USSSA’s Pride

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • July 8, 2010

Sometimes even Karli Hubbard struggles to fully comprehend her current situation.

 

Hubbard, a third-team NFCA All-America outfielder at UL as a senior in 2009, is now playing for the National Pro Fastpitch’s USSSA Florida Pride.

"It’s definitely been exciting and crazy," Hubbard said. "My whole life changed in a week."

There’s no doubt about that.

Following her senior year for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Hubbard worked at a local chiropractic office while staying in playing shape during her free time.

In her new job, the former Comeaux High School star is playing professional softball with seven former Olympians in Orlando.

"It’s like a dream," Hubbard said. "Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself. It’s surreal to be playing with some of the players I’ve played against in the past and always looked up to."

Hubbard is hitting a team-high .500 with one hit in two at-bats and one stolen base over four games. The Pride (11-6) is currently tied for the league lead with the Akron Racers.

"Even from my perspective, it’s pretty exciting," UL co-coach Michael Lotief said. "It’s exciting for Karli. It’s exciting for me. It’s exciting for the program. It’s just a great thing for everybody."

Strong finish

for Cajuns

UL finished among the top half of the 348 NCAA Division I schools in the 2009-10 Learfield Sports Directors Cup.

The Cajuns were 144th nationally with 104.5 total points. They placed fourth in the 13-member Sun Belt Conference behind Denver (65th), Middle Tennessee (79th) and Florida International (128th).

UL was third in the state of Louisiana after LSU (19th) and Tulane (142nd).

Hamilton holds court

Former Cajun guard/forward Brian Hamilton is one of 10 players on the roster for the Denver Nuggets in the upcoming Las Vegas Summer League.

Hamilton has been in training camp with the New Jersey Nets in each of the past two seasons. As a member of the Utah Flash, he led the NBA Development League in steals per game (2.3) during the 2007-08 season.

This past season he averaged 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals for the Flash and was a teammate of John Millsap, an older brother of former Cajun Elijah Millsap.

Denver opens summer league action Friday against the Dallas Mavericks and plays the last of its five games next Wednesday against the Houston Rockets.