Gibson to Play Professional Softball in Japan

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Former Texas A&M softball player and three-time All-American Megan Gibson recently signed to play professional softball in Japan and departs for Kariya, Aichi, Japan this week.

The Spring, Texas, native is one of nine former U.S. collegiate players to travel to Japan to play for Women's Major League Softball (WMLS). Gibson joins many former standouts, including many All-Americans and several USA Women's Softball Team members: Monica Abbott, Katie Burkhart, Kristen Butler, Garland Cooper, Heather Scaglione, Angela Tincher, Jenny Topping and Natasha Watley.

"I'm looking forward to going to Japan to play professionally," said Gibson. "I recently returned from a trip to Kariya and the team and girls were welcoming. Everyone was very kind and excited to get to know me. I'll be a long way away from home, but know it will be a great experience."

Gibson is a member of team Denso, which is one of the 12 teams in the WMLS. Each WMLS squad is allowed a maximum of two Americans and former Florida catcher Kristen Butler will be a teammate of Gibson's.

The WMLS has two seasons a year, one in the spring and a second in the fall. The first begins mid-March and is a 22-game season ending mid-June. Gibson will then return to the U.S. to pitch for the Philadelphia Force of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), whose season runs from June-August. Upon conclusion of the NPF season, Gibson will again travel to Japan for the WMLS fall season, August - mid-November.

Gibson was the second overall pick in the 2008 NPF Senior Draft after a successful career as an Aggie. She led her team to back-to-back appearances at the Women's College World Series her junior and senior seasons. The 2008 Big 12 Player and Pitcher of the Year holds A&M career records for runs batted in (183), doubles (48), home runs (56), total bases (447), slugging percentage (.717) and walks (172).