TUCSON, Ariz. — Former LSU All-American outfielder LaDonia Hughes was traded from the New England Riptide to the Arizona Heat as part of a six-player deal, as announced by the National Pro Fastpitch league last week.
Hughes was traded along with infielders Nichole Thompson, Tara Knudsen and pitcher Dana Sorenson to the Heat for pitcher Danielle Henderson and a first round draft pick in 2007.
After helping the Tigers to a third place finish in the Women’s College World Series last spring, Hughes joined the New England Riptide during the summer. The 2004 second-team All-American outfielder led New England to a 25-35 record and a fourth place finish in the standings. The starting outfielder posted a .201 batting average with a pair of doubles, five RBIs and a team-best eight stolen bases on the year.
The Arizona Heat, a member of National Pro Fastpitch, will begin their second season of play in June 2005. National Pro Fastpitch is the only professional women’s fastpitch league in the United States. The league is headquartered in Denver, and has been in operation since 1997 under the names Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Professional Softball League (WPSL).