OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Oklahoma City Spark announces the temporary addition of two standout collegiate athletes to our roster for the weekend. National Champion catcher Riley Ludlam from the University of Oklahoma and Maddie Penta, a right-handed pitcher from Auburn University, will be joining us for their professional debuts as we face Great Britain and Team USA. While these additions are currently set for this weekend only, we are grateful to have them represent the Spark, and we plan to update our fans with any future agreements.
Riley Ludlam: A Champion Behind the Plate
Riley Ludlam arrives at the OKC Spark fresh off a National Championship victory with the University of Oklahoma. In her final collegiate season, Ludlam proved to be an invaluable asset to her team. She started in 21 games, amassing 66 at-bats with 23 runs, 21 hits, and 20 RBIs, finishing with an impressive .318 batting average. Before her time at Oklahoma, Ludlam honed her skills at Furman, where she developed into the exceptional player we see today.
Maddie Penta: A Force in the Circle
Maddie Penta's accolades speak volumes about her prowess on the mound. In 2024 alone, she earned the titles of NFCA Third Team All-American, NFCA All-Southeast Region Second Team, and Second Team All-SEC. She was also named the 2024 AUSPY Female Athlete of the Year and received CSC Academic All-District honors. Penta's final collegiate season was marked by record-setting performances at Auburn. She made 35 appearances, including 30 starts, posting a stellar 1.90 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. With 16 wins, one save, 15 complete games, and seven shutouts, she showcased her dominance, ranking fourth in the SEC for complete games and third for shutouts.
The OKC Spark community is excited to see what Ludlam and Penta will bring to the field this weekend. While these talented athletes are currently with us on a temporary basis, we plan to update our fans with any future developments if they are made.