Softball: Hubbard Night coming to Sulphur

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • August 26, 2010

One of Lafayette’s own will be recognized Friday night during the National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series at Sulphur’s McMurry Park.

Friday has been declared "Karli Hubbard Night" in honor of the former UL and Comeaux High School softball standout now playing for the USSSA Pride out of Orlando, Fla.

The NPF Championship Series starts today and runs until Sunday and will include all four of the league’s teams: the Pride, Chicago Bandits, Akron Racers and Tennessee Diamonds.

"I was a little overwhelmed when I first heard about it," Hubbard said of being honored Friday. "It’s a huge honor. The ultimate goal is to spread the word about the NPF. I just really want people to come out and see what we have to offer."

Hubbard, who completed her collegiate career in 2009, helped the Pride (28-20) finish second in the NPF standings this season, just behind the Chicago Bandits (30-20). In 24 games she was third on the team with six stolen bases and scored seven runs as an outfielder/pinch-runner.

After being named an NFCA third-team All-American and the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year at UL as a senior, Hubbard spent a year working out on her own before joining the Pride this summer.

"It’s been a whirlwind for sure," Hubbard said. "If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s very humbling to play in this league. Everyone here was an All-American or Player of the Year in college. But it’s been so much fun.

"This is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m grateful for the opportunity."

In addition to seeing Hubbard and Olympians like Jessica Mendoza, Monica Abbott, Natasha Watley, Caitlin Lowe and Cat Osterman, fans will get one final chance to watch Jennie Finch play before she retires after this weekend.

Hubbard played against many of the NPF’s current stars when a crowd of more than 4,000 attended an exhibition game between the Cajuns and Team USA in April 2008 in Sulphur.

Finch’s husband, veteran Major League Baseball pitcher Casey Daigle, was a multi-sport standout at Sulphur High School.

The Pride and Racers face off in the opening round at 6 p.m. Thursday, while the Bandits and Diamonds play in the other semifinal at 8:30 p.m. The winners of those best-of-three series will compete in the best-of-three championship series starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

"That will be an incredible event," UL co-head coach Michael Lotief said in July. "I’m definitely going to be there so I can watch Karli play."