June 7, 2006

BOCA RATON, FL - Former Florida Atlantic University softball player Candice Freel has signed with the Philadelphia Force of National Pro Fastpitch.

Freel's Force teammates will play their home opener tonight, June 7, against the Connecticut Brakettes, who are coached by FAU assistant coach John Stratton and count two former Owls, Callie Piper and Nikki Myers, on their roster. Freel is expected to make her debut in the circle for Philadelphia, a first-year NPF team, in approximately two weeks.

Freel appeared in 136 games in the circle at Florida Atlantic from 2002 to 2005, going 81-37 with a 1.42 ERA. She struck out 664 batters in 824.2 innings and walked just 193 during her career.

Named Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year in 2002, Freel came back to garner Second Team honors as a sophomore and then was named Pitcher of the Year in the conference as a junior. She was 26-6 with a 1.28 ERA during her rookie campaign and set the FAU freshman record with 12 shutouts.

As a junior, Freel was 28-9 with a 0.67 ERA, the sixth best in the nation. She struck out 266 batters in 260.0 innings and held opponents to a .160 batting average.

Her senior season was cut short by injury and marked the only season in which she did not play in the postseason. During her first three seasons, the Owls won three straight conference championships and reached the NCAA tournament three times.

"I am so excited for Candice," stated head coach Joan Joyce. "She is such a talent in the circle. It was disappointing for her and for the FAU family to have her college career end early. This is a great opportunity for her and we wish her nothing but the best of luck!"

Freel served as a volunteer assistant coach for Florida Atlantic this past spring. This will be her first season of professional softball.