Mizzou's Fagan, Crane & Gadbois Selected in 2016 NPF College Draft
4/14/2016 8:50:00 PM | Softball
All three Tigers selected among Top 15 overall picks
NASHVILLE – The entire senior class from Mizzou Softball was selected on Thursday in the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch College Draft. Redshirt senior Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) earned the 4th overall selection, senior Emily Crane (Troy, Mo.) was selected 7th overall and redshirt senior Taylor Gadbois (Maryville, Mo.) garnered the 15th overall pick.
Fagan became the newest member of the Akron Racers on Thursday. The Tiger shortstop has taken her game to another level in 2016, hitting .450 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI and 20 stolen bases through 38 games. Fagan is the lone player in the Southeastern Conference to place Top 10 in average, home runs and stolen bases.
"I want to thank my parents and family for supporting me," Fagan said. "I also want to thank Coach Phil Bradley for being the best mentor I could have ever asked for. Coach Ehren Earleywine, Coach Gina Schneider, Coach Pete D'Amour, the Mizzou Softball support staff and all of my teammates for making me better every day. Mizzou is my second home and being there was the best four years of my life."
Crane will head to Texas and compete for the Scrap Yard Dawgs. The Troy, Mo., native has been a model of consistency in black and gold, as her .379 career average ranks second in Mizzou Softball history. In her senior campaign, Crane has exploded for 12 home runs and 42 RBI through 38 games.
"I wanted to go somewhere that I could help make a name and when I saw my name on the screen for the Scrap Yard Dawgs, I knew I had the perfect opportunity to do that with a brand new NPF organization," Crane said. "I'm so happy that I get the chance to tie up my cleats after my time with Mizzou. I can't thank this program enough for helping me be the player I am now. Thank you to the entire family for believing in me and chasing me around the last four years and even before that. Thank you to Uncle Randy for being the best angel I could ask for. This is going to be a new experience and I'm excited to see where it takes me. Let that dawg hunt!"
Gadbois rounded out the Tigers' impressive showing at Thursday's draft, earning a selection to the Dallas Charge. A 2014 NFCA All-American, Gadbois has once again wreaked havoc on the basepaths for Mizzou. Currently, her 36 stolen bases ranks second in the SEC and fifth in the NCAA. Gadbois' 128 career stolen bases ranks second in Tiger history and are third-most among active NCAA Softball players.
"I'm forever thankful for my teammates and coaches here at Mizzou," Gadbois said. "They have changed my life and made me the person I am today. I want to thank my friends for always being there for me. I want to give a huge shout out to my Maryville family for always supporting me through the past five years. Lastly, with a warm heart, I want to thank my family. WIthout them, none of this would ever be possible. Mom, Bob, Dad, Jordan and Derek - I love you all so much. Thank you for making it possible for my dreams to become a reality. I'm not sure I can imagine not playing with Emily by my side or Sami playing in front of me, but I'm excited to see where this journey takes us all. Texas here I come!"
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