The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) will hand out its first-ever 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award next weekend, and on Wednesday, Rawlings revealed the three finalists in the running.
Utah Talons outfielder Jadelyn Allchin leads the group, joined by Carolina Blaze infielder Alyssa Brito, and Oklahoma City Spark shortstop Sydney Romero.
Top AUSL Defenders Named 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Finalists
Allchin's glove helped power Utah to back-to-back AUSL titles this year. The second-year outfielder capped her 2026 season with Championship MVP honors after the Talons swept Chicago in the finals. Brito, the top pick of the 2026 AUSL Allocation Draft, anchored Carolina's infield with 27 putouts and 37 assists, committing just two errors all year.
Romero, meanwhile, started every game at short for OKC and led all AUSL shortstops with 45 assists, five double plays, and a .974 fielding percentage.
Each team's general manager, head coach, and associate head coach cast the deciding votes. The winner will be revealed Sunday, August 16th, before the All-Star Cup game at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois.
For a league that launched in 2025 and now runs six clubs, the award marks another step in strengthening the pro softball landscape. Rawlings last recognized pro softball defenders during the now-defunct National Pro Fastpitch's 2016-19 seasons.
Johnston County Little League captured the 2026 Little League Softball World Series on Sunday, blanking Kentucky 2-0 at Stallings Stadium in Greenville. The Clayton-based squad delivered North Carolina softball its fourth title in tournament history.
Anna-Lynn Clark Anchors North Carolina in the Circle
NC right-hander Anna-Lynn Clark went the distance again for her team, scattering three hits and striking out six across 93 pitches. That effort came less than 24 hours after her 109-pitch, 11-strikeout shutout of Florida. Clark finished the tournament with 41 strikeouts — the most in the field.
Across the diamond, Kentucky's Michaela Knight kept pace for stretches. The right-hander gave up two unearned runs on three hits in a five-inning complete game. Her tournament ERA closed at 0.25.
The thin margin meant every run mattered. Belle Cox opened the scoring with a single in the bottom of the second. An error plated North Carolina's second run an inning later. From there, defense took over.
Right fielder Abbey Robinson snagged two inning-ending catches. First baseman Scarlett Cerda then turned an unassisted double play in the fourth.
Kentucky answered with an outfield assist from Finley Beaven and back-to-back diving grabs. Still, North Carolina hung on for the win, nabbing its fourth title since 1974.
Athletes Unlimited is tapping the breaks, as the multi-sport operation pulls back from its pro volleyball and basketball leagues to reimagine both products.
AU is zeroing in on its pro softball league after second-season ratings jumped 181% on ESPN, with the AUSL serving as its sole property in 2027.
“As we look ahead, we’re sharpening our focus on where we can create the greatest long-term impact for athletes, fans, and partners,” AU said in a statement.
“As part of that strategy, we’ll pause AU Pro Volleyball during the 2026 season and AU Pro Basketball for the 2027 season while we thoughtfully reimagine the future of those properties to reflect the continued growth and evolution of both sports.”
The news comes as upstarts LOVB, MLV, and Unrivaled 3×3 gain steam. Additionally, preparations for the 2028 Olympics have presented scheduling issues for Athletes Unlimited’s truncated format.
These aren’t the company’s first casualties, after it cut AU Pro Lacrosse in 2024 over similar concerns.
Jailyn Ford threw her first complete game of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season Tuesday, guiding the OKC Spark past the Texas Volts 7-2. Ford struck out eight, walked three, and surrendered just two extra-base hits across the AUSL game's seven innings.
OKC Spark Offense Powers Past Texas Volts Roster
OKC's offense set the tone early.
Sydney Romero doubled to right center in the first, driving in Maya Brady for a 1-0 lead. The Volts answered in the third, but the Spark responded immediately. A throwing error in the fourth opened the door for two runs. Brady followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Sarah Gordon.
From there, the lead only grew. Amari Harper launched a solo homerun in the fifth, then Sydney McKinney singled home Sydney Sherrill to push the advantage to 7-1.
Jackie Lis homered late for the Texas Volts roster's lone bright spot, but the deficit proved too much.
Looking Ahead in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Standings
The win moves the Spark to 10-11 with two straight victories as they chase a late-season climb in the AUSL scores and standings. The Volts drop to 6-16.
These teams close their two-game series Wednesday at 8 PM ET on ESPNU.
The Utah Talons are playoff-bound. The defending champions clinched the first postseason berth of the 2026 AUSL softball season on Saturday, climbing the AUSL standings by rallying past the Oklahoma City Spark 5-4 in a seventh-inning comeback.
How the Utah Talons Locked Up Their 2026 AUSL Playoff Spot
Utah trailed 3-2 heading into the final frame. Then Jadelyn Allchin connected on a solo home run to tie it. With two outs, Sharlize Palacios followed with a two-run shot off Maya Johnson, pushing the Talons ahead 5-3.
Oklahoma City answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Megan Faraimo closed things out, finishing with 10 strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
Staying on Top of the AUSL Standings
Now the focus shifts to the AUSL standings.
The No. 1 seed earns an automatic berth in the AUSL Championship at Davis Diamond in College Station, Texas, while the second- and third-place teams meet in the Play-In Game.
Utah (14-6) holds a one-game edge over the Chicago Bandits (13-7), who have won nine straight. The Portland Cascade (11-9) sit three games back.
With a roster that includes Montana Fouts and a lineup built for the postseason, the Talons have the depth to chase more than just a playoff spot.
The young stars of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League stand out beyond their style of play, as merchandise sales for five of the league’s top-10 selling players have come from the 2026 rookie class.
No. 1 overall 2026 pick Karlyn Pickens of the Carolina Blaze leads the league in merchandise sales this season, joined by fellow rookies Sam Landry and Reese Atwood in the top-three.
AUSL Merchandise Sales Surge Past 2025 Numbers After WCWS
AUSL merchandise sales have expanded exponentially since 2025, with revenue exceeding 200% of sales from the first month of the season last year.
The popularity of this year’s AUSL rookie class underlines potential stardom for players immediately going pro after the NCAA Women’s College World Series, as fans follow their favorite athletes to the professional level.
Texas Volts ace Nijaree Canady sits fourth in merch sales, while former UCLA slugger Megan Grant of the Portland Cascade sits in seventh place. Montana Fouts, who represents the league-leading Talons, sits at sixth.
Fans can find AUSL merchandise at the AU Pro Shop, as well as in-venue pop up shops in each league market. The 2026 AUSL season continues through July 29 as the league's six team compete for a chance to play in the best-of-three championship.
Maya Brady is just 11 games into the 2026 AUSL season and she's already nearing a record no one has reached.
The Oklahoma City Spark utility player currently leads the AUSL with five home runs and 11 RBIs. Her batting average lands her in the league's Top 10, keeping all three Triple Crown categories in play.
Brady additionally ranks high in on-base percentage (.575) while leading the league in runs scored (13). She has recorded a hit in every professional matchup she's played — a 16-game streak stretching back to her 2025 debut with the Utah Talons.
Maya Brady Faces AUSL Triple Crown Challengers
Despite Brady's grip on the standings, the competition for the Triple Crown remains tight.
Veteran Chicago Bandits slugger Sami Williams matches Brady's RBI count while trailing close behind in batting average (.467) and home runs (three). Elsewhere, Carolina Blaze rookie Reese Atwood follows with eight RBIs and a .450 batting average.
Brady joined the Spark as the No. 1 overall pick in December's Expansion Draft. With more than a third of the season complete, she holds the edge in all three Triple Crown categories. Winning the title would be a first for the second-year pro softball league — if she manages to keep pace.
Her team, however, has ground to make up.
Oklahoma City lost to the defending champion Utah Talons on Monday, with pitcher Montana Fouts holding Brady's side to four hits. The defeat dropped Oklahoma to 5-6 on the season.
Athletes Unlimited Softball (AUSL) opened its second season with a pro softball triple-header that set the tone for 2026. Expansion teams made their mark, offenses came alive early, and the defending champions picked up right where they left off.
AUSL Expansion Teams Make Their Scoring Debut
The Spark routed the Texas Volts 13-5 in the day's first game. Expansion draft pick Maya Brady delivered the biggest moment, launching a grand slam to center field to log the Spark's first-ever runs as a franchise. Following Brady's heroics, Sydney Romero added a follow-up home run to put the game out of reach.
Later that evening, the Carolina Blaze handed the Portland Cascade a 4-1 loss in Portland's debut. Still, Cascade shortstop Sis Bates gave the hometown crowd something to cheer for, recording the first hit and run in franchise history.
Montana Fouts Silences Bandits in AUSL Championship Rematch
The night's marquee event paired the defending champion Utah Talons against the Texas Bandits. The AUSL championship rematch saw the Talons control the game early, coming away with a 5-2 win.
Bri Ellis carried the Utah offense with a two-run homer and RBI double. Meanwhile, in the circle, Montana Fouts matched her by throwing a complete game and holding the Bandits to just two runs on scattered hits.
With the expanded AUSL looking deeper than ever, the 2026 season looks to be the most competitive yet.
AUSL Schedule: Where to Watch This Week's Games
Next up, the Volts will take on the Spark on Wednesday at 6 PM ET, live on MLB.TV.
The Portland Cascade follows, looking to bounce back against the Blaze at 8 PM ET (ESPN2), before the Bandits shoot for a win against the Talons at 10 PM ET (ESPNU).
Pro softball is spreading its wings, as the Athletes Unlimited Softball League opens its expanded second season with all six teams in action tonight.
Former Tennessee ace and No. 1 draft pick Karlyn Pickens will likely make her pro debut for the Carolina Blaze. She’ll face a rookie-heavy Portland Cascade lineup spanning UCLA’s Megan Grant, Arizona’s Sydney Stewart, Arizona State’s Kenzie Brown, and Florida’s Kenleigh Cahalan.
Game 2 pits the Texas Volts against 2026 newcomer the Oklahoma City Spark, with formerly independent OKC adding No. 3 overall pick Maya Johnson out of Belmont.
The 2025 runner-up Chicago Bandits visit the Utah Talons in the evening’s headliner. Last year, the Talons swept the Bandits to claim the inaugural title.
Utah rookie Taylor Tinsley arrives fresh off UCLA’s deep WCWS run. Meanwhile, first-year pitcher Jocelyn Erickson (Florida) could feature behind the dish for Chicago.
AUSL also made offseason waves, subsequently securing big-name investors and a major media deal.
“We’re big believers in building a sustainable long-term softball league, and I think that that's resonated,” Athletes Unlimited CEO and co-founder Jon Patricof said.
“You’re seeing more and more organizations recognize that this sport is a national phenomenon.”
Where to Watch AUSL Season 2 Opening Day Schedule
Portland squares off against Carolina today at 5 PM ET, live on CBS Sports.
Texas softball are back-to-back national champions, after the Longhorns defeated Texas Tech 4-1 on Thursday to clinch a second consecutive Women's College World Series title in Oklahoma City.
And at the center of the team's historic run was star catcher Reese Atwood.
Reese Atwood Leaves Record-Breaking Texas Softball Legacy
The Longhorns veteran departs Austin as the program's all-time leader in home runs (74), RBIs (283), and slugging percentage (.729). Over her four seasons, Texas went 209-49-1 with Atwood behind the plate.
She also guided the team three WCWS appearances and two national championships, starting 253 out of 259 games.
Those stats prove just how vital Atwood was to the Longhorns' lineup. However, the graduating senior shared that joining head coach Mike White's squad meant just as much to her.
"I have so much faith in this program," Atwood said after Thursday's WCWS win. "I believe with the standards this program has set and the culture and the love that our support staff and everybody gives us that anything we want is possible."
Atwood's teammates credited her with setting those standards, too.
Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan — who earned a history-making second straight WCWS Most Outstanding Player award in the win — praised her longtime batterymate.
"She's the heart and soul of this program," Kavan said. "I'm proud of her for the legacy she's left not just on Texas, but on the whole sport. She's been an inspiration to everybody including myself."
College Softball Stars Kick Off AUSL Pro League's 2026 Season
Now, with her college career capped, Atwood is headed to the pros.
The Carolina Blaze took the catcher seventh overall in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) draft last month, making her the second round's first selectiond.
As part of the newly formed Blaze, Atwood looks to continue her record-breaking streak in Durham.
The NFCA Catcher of the Year will mark her league debut when the 2026 AUSL season opens on June 9th. Games will air across ESPN platforms through late July's championship series.
Texas, meanwhile, will shoot for the three-peat at the 2027 WCWS, as Kavan returns to lead the program in her senior year with the Longhorns.