The Carolina Blaze eliminated the Oklahoma City Spark from the 2026 AUSL playoffs with an 11-1 run-rule win on Tuesday. The final regular-season game on the Carolina Blaze schedule was supposed to wrap up Monday night at Smith Family Stadium, but a lengthy weather delay pushed the finish to Tuesday morning.
Carolina Blaze Roster Explodes Early in AUSL Season Finale
Still, the Carolina Blaze roster took control with an eight-run first inning.
Valerie Cagle launched a three-run homerun to right field, and Reese Atwood drove in four runs on a single and a bases-loaded double. All told, 13 Blaze hitters stepped to the plate before the end of the frame.
That lead ballooned to 11-0 in the second. Aubrey Leach tripled into the gap, bringing home three more to end any remaining doubt.
Maya Brady answered with a solo homerun in the fifth, marking her 11th this season and a new AUSL single-season record. Still, it was the Spark's only run, and it wasn't enough to save Oklahoma City's inaugural campaign.
What's Next for the AUSL Playoffs?
The Spark finished 13-12, one game behind the Portland Cascade for the final postseason berth. In a tight race among AUSL softball teams, Oklahoma City stayed in contention until the very last day of the regular season. The Carolina Blaze's season is also over, but their win clinched Portland's playoff spot.
The AUSL playoffs begin Thursday, when the Cascade face the Chicago Bandits in a play-in game at 9 PM ET.
