Scrap Yard Fast Pitch, LLC (SYFP) has announced the signing of 14 returning players to the 2019 summer roster along with four NCAA Div. I seniors.
Stay tuned in the coming days for an announcement of the official 2019 summer schedule including multiple games which will be live streamed here on Extra Inning Softball!
After reaching over 2.2 million fans across the world last summer, SYFP is ready to hit the field again for another summer of competition against teams both foreign and domestic.
Here’s a closer look at the team…
2019 Scrap Yard Fast Pitch Team Roster
first 14 are returning players; those with * are collegiate seniors
- Dallas Escobedo – Pitcher – Arizona State
- Taylor Edwards – Catcher – Nebraska
- Sam Fischer – Infield – Loyola Marymount
- Morgan Foley – Pitcher – Indianapolis
- Kylee Hanson – Pitcher – Florida State
- Cheridan Hawkins – Pitcher – Oregon
- Bailey Landry – Outfield – LSU
- Erika Piancastelli – Catcher/Infield – McNeese
- Alexis Silkwood – Pitcher – Mississippi State
- Kiki Stokes – Outfield – Nebraska
- Ashley Walters – Catcher – Texas A&M
- Kayla Winkfield – Infield – Mississippi State
- Morgan Zerkle – Outfield – Marshall
- Aubrey Leach – Infield – Tennessee*
- Kylan Becker – Outfield – Ole Miss*
- Jessica Hartwell – Catcher – Texas Tech*
- Christina Biggerstaff – Pitcher – South Carolina Upstate*
Returning Players (14)
PITCHERS
The 2019 roster will consist of a deep pitching lineup, led by former Arizona State National Champion and All-American, Dallas Escobedo.
Joining Dallas will be Oregon legend and All-American Cheridan Hawkins, who will enter her second year with Scrap Yard Fast Pitch.
Kylee Hanson, a 2018 NCAA National Champion with the Florida State Seminoles, will add righty power in the circle.
Moran Foley, the all-time leader in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched at the University of Indianapolis will return to the squad, alongside Mississippi State’s all-time leader in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched—Alexis Silkwood.
CATCHERS
Behind the plate for SYFP will be three catchers with plenty of international and professional experience.
Taylor Edwards—an All-American from Nebraska, a five-year professional veteran, and a former Team USA member—will once again be captain of the infield.
Local legend and former Texas A&M Aggie Ashley Walters will return behind the plate for Scrap Yard Fast Pitch and contribute with a big bat in the lineup.
Rounding out the catcher position is the star of Team Italy and the most accomplished player to ever play at McNeese University—home run hitter Erika Piancastelli
INFIELDERS
Scrap Yard Fast Pitch has several athletes with significant experience in the dirt starting with Auburn alumni and former USA Softball player Kasey Cooper.
Kasey’s lock-down defensive play and powerful offensive play will prove a nice compliment to Kayla Winkfield, who will return at shortstop and provide slapper speed at the plate.
Kayla will be returning for her second year with Scrap Yard Fast Pitch and will join pitcher Alexis Silkwood in representing the Mississippi State Bulldogs Sam Fischer, a professional player for three years and arguably the most entertaining player on the squad, will contribute to the middle infield, as well as providing depth at first base.
OUTFIELDERS
Out in the grass, speed will reign as longtime fan-favorite Kiki Stokes will return to Conroe for her second season.
Stokes will be joined by LSU All-American Bailey Landry, and Marshall alumni and former USA Softball slapper Morgan Zerkle.
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College Seniors (4)
Aubrey Leach
Just announced on Saturday afternoon, Scrap Yard Fast Pitch has added some home-grown talent from the college ranks with Aubrey Leach, a graduate of The Woodlands High School and an alumni of local travel ball organization Sudden Impact,
Aubrey has made her mark in her four years with the Tennessee Volunteer softball program. She has earned 2018 1st Team All American, All-Region, All-SEC, Pre-Season All-American and Scholar Athlete award as well as being named a USA Softball Top 25 Player of the Year Finalist.
When SYFP Director Connie May was asked about inviting the local fire-power to the team, May said, “Aubrey is the toughest out in the game. She has one of the best softball minds to ever play the game. I am fortunate enough to have known and coached Aubrey since she was 10 years old and to have her come full circle and be a part of our Scrap Yard family is very humbling for me.”
Kylan Becker
Kylan Becker is a Miami, Florida native who is known for dominate outfield play and speed at the plate. She will add international experience to the 2019 team, too, having played with USA Softball in the 2018 summer.
Kylan is having a stellar year at the plate for Ole Miss, boasting a .407 batting average, .523 slugging percentage, 48 runs, 70 hits, and seven triples. Her defensive stats are just as impressive as she is maintaining a .982 fielding percentage with only one error committed this year.
Connie May was eager to share her thoughts on the invitation to Kylan saying, “Kylan’s speed is undeniable and something that never slumps. She has been a staple in the Ole Miss lineup getting things started for them for four years. With her roaming the outfield and swiping extra bases will be a huge asset to our lineup.”
Jessica Hartwell
Although current Texas Tech Raider Jessica Hartwell has played collegiate softball in the great state of Texas, she is originally a Galt, California native who graduated from Liberty Ranch High School.
Jessica has earned All- American, All-Region and All-Big 12 accolade in addition to being named USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Week in March of 2018.
She is currently holding a .326 battering average, with 37 runs, 47 hits, and nine home runs. May said of this collegian: “Jessica fits exactly what Scrap Yard is all about. She has athleticism and a hard-working mentality and she plays the game the right way. Did I say she can hit?”
Christina Biggerstaff
Christina Biggerstaff graduated from Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas and has led her teams in strikeouts at every level she has played.
She currently leads the Spartan pitching staff with a 1.09 ERA, 26 wins versus four losses, 204 innings pitched and 258 strikeouts for South Carolina-Upstate.
With yet another local invite, Connie May was excited to say, “Christina has dominated in her conference and will add a different look to our staff. She is a strikeout pitcher that will give us depth at that position as we take on the best players in the world.”
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Scrap Yard Fast Pitch
Scrap Yard Fast Pitch, LLC was established to create sustainable professional softball opportunities for elite female athletes so they could earn a living while playing the game they love. It began competition in the summer of 2018 and has continued into 2019, not only providing elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career, but to inspire future generations of professional softball players. Located in the Houston area, Scrap Yard Fast Pitch is committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism. Follow Scrap Yard Fast Pitch on Facebook (@ScrapYardFP), Twitter (@ScrapYardFP), or Instagram (@ScrapYardFP) to keep up with the latest happenings.