2009-12-14
APF CLIENTS BANISTER AND JENKINS RE-SIGN WITH NPF AKRON RACERS
 AKRON, OH – Former University of Arizona star infielder Samantha Banister (Petaluma, CA) and former University of Oregon star outfielder Sari-Jane Jenkins (Salem, OR) have signed professional playing contracts to return to their 2009 team, the Akron Racers of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), Racers General Manager Joey Arrietta announced today. Per All-Pro Fastpitch (APF) and Racers protocol, financial terms of the two-year deals were not disclosed.
“I’m looking forward to coming back to Akron for my second professional season,” Banister said. “It was a big adjustment for me last year with my collegiate career ending and Akron bringing me on board. With a year under my belt and a better understanding of what it takes to play at the pro level, I feel like I’ll be ready to come in and contribute right away. The people of Akron are very supportive, and it will be a real privilege to play for Crystl Bustos.”
Said Jenkins: “I am glad to be returning to Akron for my second season. The fans there are great to us, and there’s no better place in the NPF to play than Firestone Stadium. Hopefully many of the great players I played with last year will be back and some new ones can be brought in to help us take the next step and compete for a championship. The hiring of Crystl Bustos as manager already has created some momentum that hopefully we will continue to build upon.”
Arrietta added: “Sam and Sari are great players, great athletes and wonderful personalities. They will add excitement and color to our team on and off the field, and I fully expect them to push for starting jobs in 2010. I’m very happy to have them back.”
Banister enjoyed a standout career at Arizona in which she was a part of two national championship teams while playing multiple infield positions and serving as a designated player. As a senior she belted a career-best 16 home runs, including two in NCAA Tournament regional play, and 10 doubles to go along with a .526 slugging percentage en route to All-Pac-10 honors.
Jenkins was a three-time All-Pac-10 selection and an all-regional honoree while at Oregon. She graduated as the Ducks’ all-time leader in stolen bases with 93 and ranked among Oregon’s career top 10 in hits (230, second), runs (135, fourth), doubles (33, seventh), walks (73, seventh) and average (.324, 10th). She had an incredible junior year, batting .396 and ranking third in the conference in hits (82), doubles (16) and steals (38).
Akron finished third in the 2009 NPF Championship Series after placing second in the regular season with a 26-14 Mark. The Racers, who have finished second in four of the past six regular seasons, begin play again in June 2010 with former U.S. Olympian and National Team member Crystl Bustos taking over as manager.
For more information please contact Joey Arrietta, Pres/GM Akron Racers @ 330-620-2216. |
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