Stokes Selected Sixth in NPF Draft

Nebraska All-American Kiki Stokes made history on Thursday, when she was selected with the No. 6 overall pick by the Scrap Yard Dawgs in the first-round of the 2016 National ProFastpitch College Draft in Nashville, Tenn.

Not only did Stokes become the first draft pick for the expansion franchise, she also became the highest drafted Husker since the NPF re-established operations in 2004. Stokes was the first Husker selected in the NPF Draft since catcher Taylor Edwards was picked in the second round of the 2014 draft. Stokes was also the first Husker to be a first-round selection since Ashley DeBuhr in 2007 (No. 8).

Stokes was not expecting to be selected in the first round, nor was she expecting to be able to watch the NPF Draft, which aired live on the CBS Sports Network. But Nebraska’s scheduled flight to Chicago was delayed, allowing Stokes and her teammates to watch as her name was announced as the No. 6 pick.

“It was really exciting,” Stokes said. “Everybody around me was screaming and it was surreal to me. I didn’t process at all that I was going to go in the first round. I’m still kind of shaken up about it. I’m really excited about what’s next, and I’m really excited everyone got to be around and witness it.”

Nebraska Head Coach Rhonda Revelle said Stokes’ selection was an exciting accomplishment for her and for the entire Husker softball program.

“This is a proud moment for Nebraska softball,” Revelle said. “It is a proud moment to see a player work so hard to maximize her talent and to have that talent be recognized by the NPF. We can’t wait to see Kiki play professionally.”

Per NCAA rules, Stokes cannot sign with the Dawgs or officially begin her professional career until the end of her senior season. While she’s focused on the remaining months of her Husker career, Stokes is also excited about continuing to play beyond college.

“I think it’s really humbling to me,” Stokes said. “I’m blessed to be able to get to play a game that a lot of people only get to play for four years.

A 2015 third-team All-American, Stokes is batting .412 this season with 10 doubles, three triples, three homers and 17 RBIs. With more than a month remaining in her collegiate career, Stokes ranks second in Husker history in runs (184), fifth in triples (13), walks (110) and stolen bases (62), seventh in batting average (.345) and 10th in hits (208). She is one of only four Huskers to hit .400 in a season, one of five Huskers with 100 career hits, runs, RBIs and walks and one of two Huskers to produce 60 hits and 60 runs in the same season. Stokes also holds Nebraska season records for on-base percentage (.532 in 2015) and runs scored (66 in 2015), along with game records for runs (5 at Maryland in 2016).