THE WOODLANDS, TX -- January 27, 2017 -- Scrap Yard Dawgs General Manager Connie May announced the signing of former Chicago Bandits Catcher, Taylor Edwards. Edwards has been contracted with the Dawgs through the 2021Season.

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When asked to comment on signing Edwards, GM Connie May said, "Taylor is a seasoned veteran that brings experience and leadership from behind the dish. Not to mention, she is always a threat at the plate. She knows how to win the big games!"

A right-handed catcher from Murrieta, California, Edwards was drafted in the second round and the 8th overall pick by the Pennsylvania Rebellion in the 2014 draft. During her NPF Rookie campaign she batted .241 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI's. She also maintained a .367 slugging percentage which was 4th on the team for the Rebellion. Edwards was also a standout behind the plate where she finished 10th in the league in total putouts with 111 and threw out 10 runners in 32 attempts.



After one year with the Rebellion, she joined the Chicago Bandits for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Edwards continued to excel after changing uniforms where in two years she has extended her impressive softball resume. Her achievements include being named All-NPF Member in back to back seasons as well as being a ranked in the top of the NPF for home runs with 10 in 2015 (ties for first) and 11 in 2016 (tied for 3rd). During her two years with the bandits, she was instrumental in bringing home two back to back Cowles Cup Championships.

During her three seasons in the NPF, Edwards compiled 98 hits, 76 RBIs, and 22 home runs. Edwards led her team in slugging percentage (.640), RBIs (35), doubles (10), home runs (11), and total bases (96) for the 2016 season.

Prior to joining the NPF, Edwards attended the University of Nebraska where she was the first player to be drafted since 2006. She is the Huskers' all-time leader in home runs (54), walks (150), hit-by-pitches (39) and grand slams (4). While at Nebraska she earned multiple All-Conference and All American honors.

When asked about joining the Dawgs, Edwards said, "I am very excited to continue my NPF career with the Scrap Yard Dawgs. I can't wait to get started with this group & work for a championship!"

Scrap Yard Dawgs General Manager Connie May also announced the signing of former Chicago Bandits standout, Brittany Cervantes. Cervantes's contract will keep her in a Dawgs uniform through the 2021 Season.

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Cervantes is a Chatsworth, California native that will be joining the Dawgs and brings several years of NPF experience. In 2016, Cervantes helped the bandits bring home their second Cowles Cup Championship in two seasons. She led the team in two offensive categories including on base percentage with .430 (4th in the league) and walks with 34 (2nd in the league). In addition, she was 2nd on the team in slugging percentage (.522), runs scored (26), RBI's (9), home runs (9), and total bases (72). Her performance at the NPF Championship Series earned her the title of Cowles Cup MVP.

In 2014, Cervantes was named to her first All-NPF Team as well as the Worth Home Run Award Winner. During the 2015 season in Chicago, she was again named to the All-NPF Team, named NPF Offensive Player of the Year, and was instrumental in helping the Bandits win the 2015 Cowles Cup Championship. She led the league in three offensive categories including slugging percentage (.664), on base percentage (.520), and walks (34). She was second in the league in batting average (.358), runs scored (26), hits (38), and doubles (6).

She was originally signed by the Bandits in 2012 following an open tryout held by the organization. After working her way into line-up, she became a staple for the Bandits line up after posting a .636 slugging percentage in 2013 and coming through in several key situations.

As a utility player at Kentucky, Cervantes was one of the most accomplished position players in school history and after earning National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Second Team All-Region accolades as a junior in 2011, was a First Team All-SEC and All-SEC Defensive Team pick in 2012. The only player in UK history to hit 10 or more homers in each of her four seasons in Lexington, she set single-season school records with 55 runs scored and 48 walks in 2011, while also establishing personal bests in batting average (.329) and home runs (15). During Cervantes' career, she helped Kentucky to four NCAA Tournament berths.

When asked about her thoughts on the Trade, GM Connie May said, "Cervantes is in her 6th year in the league. She is a seasoned veteran and her league accolades speak for themselves. She is a proven champion and will help reinforce a winning culture with the Dawgs!"

"I want to thank Bill Sokolis, my Bandit teammates and most importantly the Bandit fans for all the support over the last five years," said Cervantes. "I'm excited to continue my career with the Scrap Yard Dawgs and work towards winning a Championship!"

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