Sept. 5, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former University of Kentucky All-Southeastern Conference performer Brittany Cervantes has continued to dominate at the next level as she has been named to the All-National Pro Fastpitch Team recently for her brilliant 2014 season in professional softball.

Cervantes, who was the Chicago Bandits’ Offensive Player of the Year, also earned the Worth Home Run Award this season by leading the league with 12 homers. She led the Bandits in RBI with a career-best 41, while also posting career highs in hits (34), runs scored (23) and doubles (5). Cervantes had three multiple-home runs games on the season and was named the Prudential Player of the Week the opening week of the season after hitting .400 with four homers and 12 RBI.

Cervantes, who joined the Bandits by way of open tryouts in 2012, has been called upon to play multiple positions in both the infield and outfield. The UK star had a great 2013 season with the Bandits, hitting .255 with six home runs, 17 RBI and a .382 on-base percentage.

Cervantes was a standout offensive player at Kentucky, playing catcher and third base during her tenure. The native of Chatsworth, Calif., was named All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team in 2012. Cervantes, who earned three SEC weekly honors during her time at Kentucky, ranks first all-time in runs batted in and home runs, while she is also seventh in games played, tied for fourth in doubles, second in walks, third in runs scored and second in slugging percentage.

The slugger hit 13 home runs in her final season with Kentucky and 15 during her junior season, which still rank as the third- and second-most homers ever hit in a season by a UK player. Cervantes’ 52 RBI in 2011 ranks second all-time on UK’s single-season record list, while her 55 runs scored in 2011 are the most in single-season history.

A two-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Cervantes graduated from UK with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism in May 2012.

Cervantes is currently an assistant coach at Loyola University Chicago, where she helped lead the Ramblers to the Missouri Valley Conference championship game last season.

For the latest on UK softball, follow @UKSoftball on Twitter and Instagram or like Kentucky Softball on Facebook.