A former Texas Tech softball player has signed a professional contract to play in Italy.

Emily Bledsoe will be a member of the Des Caserta organization in the Italian Softball League.

Bledsoe will join the team just in time for the 2013 season, which begins in late March and concludes in September.

“I am really blessed to be getting such an incredible experience,” said Bledsoe. “The thought of being able to go to such a historic country while getting to do something that I love is amazing.”

Bledsoe finished her career as a Red Raider in 2012, as she helped lead Texas Tech to an NCAA Regional selection for the third-straight season. She was a three-time All-Big 12 second team selection and was twice named to the NFCA All-Central Region second team as well.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Emily, and we know she will have a great professional season in Italy,” said Tech head coach Shanon Hays. “Emily has worked hard and been a great example of what we want our program to be about. We wish her nothing but success.”

Bledsoe graduated with a degree in advertising in December of 2012, and will be based in Caserta, Italy, roughly 20 miles north of Naples and a two-hour drive south of Rome.

More From News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO