Delce Drafted 9th Overall by Oklahoma City Spark
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Redshirt senior RHP Chenise Delce was picked No. 9 overall in the 2023 Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF) draft by the Oklahoma City Spark Monday night at The Yale Theatre in Oklahoma City.
A native of Oklahoma City, Delce will have the opportunity to sign once her eligibility at Arkansas is completed following the 2023 season.
“I want to congratulate Chenise and Oklahoma City for the draft tonight,” said Arkansas head coach Courtney Deifel. “I can’t say enough about how proud I am of Chenise and for what she has accomplished. She’s an elite talent and competitor. She’s an even more incredible human. I can’t wait to watch her represent her hometown and the Razorbacks.”
The reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year was the first selection of the third round. Delce is the third Razorback in program history to be drafted to a professional softball league, joining former Hogs Taylor Ellsworth and Danielle Gibson. Ellsworth (USSSA Pride) is currently on a WPF roster. Gibson was selected in the Athlete’s Unlimited draft last spring.
Delce played her first three seasons at Tulsa before transferring to Arkansas for the 2022 season. Delce was named SEC Pitcher of the Year, NFCA Second Team All-American, SEC Tournament MVP, All-SEC First Team and NFCA All-South Region First Team last season.
In two seasons at Arkansas, Delce holds a 35-8 record with 324 strikeouts. This season, Delce (16-5) files a 1.86 ERA with 136 strikeouts, 13 complete games and four shutouts across 120.1 innings pitched. Delce also has eight wins against teams ranked inside ESPN.com/USA Softball’s top-25 and another two decisions vs. foes that were not ranked at the time Arkansas faced them but are now ranked (Baylor, Texas A&M).
The WPF is a professional league that runs from June 15 to Aug. 7. The Oklahoma City Spark is coached by Amber Flores and plays home games at Hall of Fame Stadium.
Up Next
Delce and No. 11 Arkansas conclude a four-game homestand vs. Texas A&M-Commerce at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Bogle Park. The game will be available on SEC Network+. The Razorbacks then hit the road for a top-20 test at No. 16 Kentucky on April 21-23 in Lexington, Ky.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
