After leading Mississippi State’s pitching staff in nearly every statistical category this spring, Aspen Wesley is moving up to the professional ranks, signing with the newly-formed Texas Monarchs of the Women’s Pro Fastpitch league.
Wesley’s fifth and final season as a Bulldog was her finest yet, with a 15-7 record, a 3.15 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 129 innings pitched. She closed out the regular season with complete-game wins in each of her last three starts, becoming the first pitcher to shut out Georgia all year, and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference second team. She pitched another shutout in the opening round of the NCAA regionals against Cal State Fullerton.
“I’m thrilled for Aspen as she embarks on her professional career,” MSU head coach Samantha Ricketts said in a news release. “She has worked tirelessly as a Bulldog to earn this opportunity to represent MSU and her home state at the highest level. Aspen will remain a role model for young girls across Mississippi and in her tribe as she pursues her journey as a professional softball player.”
Wesley joins former Bulldogs outfielder Brylie St. Clair on the Monarchs’ roster, with infielder Madisyn Kennedy also now playing professionally with the independent Florida Vibe. Wesley, St. Clair and Kennedy were all on the 2020 and 2021 MSU teams, which held a school-record seven future pros. Fa Leilua, Mia Davidson-Smith, Annie Willis and Chloe Malau’ulu are the others.
Among the highlights of Wesley’s final year in the maroon and white was a no-hitter at rival Ole Miss during the first weekend of SEC play. She held opponents to a .206 batting average, with conference foes batting a mere .197 against her.
The Monarchs open their season on June 20 and will battle the Texas Smoke, the Coastal Bend Tidal Wave and the Hub City Adelitas throughout the WPF’s eight-week season. The regular season ends on Aug. 11, with the championship series scheduled to begin two days later.
“Playing professional softball has always been a dream since I could pitch, but I thought that would always be a dream,” Wesley said. “I’m so incredibly blessed to be playing pro, and I couldn’t be more excited about representing MSU in this new adventure.”
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