The Chicago Bandits selected Oklahoma southpaw Paige Lowary with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NPF draft on Monday night in Nashville, TN. Pitchers were the top priority for all four teams in the league, as the first five picks were Lowary, LSU's Allie Walljasper (Eagles), Texas State's Randi Rupp (Bandits), Florida State's Kylee Hanson (Comets), and OU's Paige Parker (Pride).

We were surprised to see that Tennessee senior Meghan Gregg was not picked, but she may have opted out of the draft. As of now, the USSSA Pride look like the favorite to win the Cowles Cup. Their lineup and depth seem unmatched now that the Scrap Yard Dawgs and Akron Racers are no longer in the league.