BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-- WKU softball's Miranda Kramer made program history on Wednesday, becoming the first Lady Topper ever drafted by a National Pro Fastpitch team, as the senior was picked sixth by the Pennsylvania Rebellion.
Kramer is garnering national attention in 2015 as she leads the nation in strikeouts per seven innings at 13.8 while tied for first with seven shutouts. She is third nationally in total strikeouts with 207, which is third in a single season at WKU. Kramer is also fourth in hits allowed per seven innings (3.19) and 10th in ERA (1.06).
After transferring to WKU from IPFW where she was named the Summit League Pitcher of the Year and a NFCA All-Region honoree in 2014, Kramer picked up where she left off, totaling 14 double-digit strikeout efforts so far this season to have 47 in her career. Kramer is the NCAA's active career leader with 972 strikeouts and 10.74 strikeouts per seven innings.
The West Burlington, Iowa, native has received Conference USA Pitcher of the Week four times this season, the most of any league player. She was named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week and espnW's National Player of the Week after the season's opening weekend, highlighted by a 19-strikeout no-hitter at Troy.
WKU has one former player in its history to play on a NPF team, as Olivia Watkins, the NCAA stolen base leader last year, signed a contract with the Akron Racers in 2014 while she will play with the Rebellion in the upcoming year. Lady Topper assistant coach Aja Paculba also has NPF ties after being drafted to the Carolina Diamonds at the conclusion of her collegiate career at Florida while spending two seasons with the Racers.
Kramer and the Lady Toppers play in their home opener this weekend, starting on Friday, April 3 in a twinbill against Conference USA foe Florida Atlantic. The series concludes on Saturday, April 4 with a game at noon CT. With the Owls in Bowling Green, the game will be a top 40 matchup in the NCAA RPI, as WKU held at No. 33 this week while Florida Atlantic is at No. 39.
For information on season tickets through the flexible season ticket plan, visit WKUSports.com or call the ticket office at 1-800-5-BIGRED.
The 2015 WKU softball season is being presented by the United States Marines. This season, the Marines and WKU Athletics are working together to promote the outstanding athletic and academic achievements of our female student-athletes. The Marines are proud to work with and support these future leaders of America.
For more information on WKU softball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the team on Twitter via @WKUSoftball.
