Subheadline
Athletes Unlimited Softball League expands to six teams as 17 college stars receive the 'Golden Ticket' to the pros.
By Gianna Postiglione, Intern Journalist
Publication Date: June 1st, 2026
Athletes Unlimited Softball League continued its expansion push with the 2026 AUSL Draft, as the league prepared to grow from four teams to six and welcomed a new class of college standouts into the professional ranks.
The draft arrived at an important point for AUSL, which continues to build its footprint across the sports landscape with growing national exposure on MLB Network, ESPN, ABC and CBS. That broader visibility has turned the event into more than a roster-building exercise. It is also a key piece of the league’s Innovation, branding and brandingstrategy as professional softball works to expand its reach in the national news cycle.
This year’s class featured a mix of elite pitchers, proven sluggers and decorated defenders from major programs across the country. The selections also reflected current conference alignment changes, with UCLA now competing in the Big Ten and Arizona in the Big 12.
Intro
The 2026 AUSL Draft highlighted the next stage of growth for professional softball. Expanding from four teams to six gives the league more roster spots, more markets and more opportunities to convert top college talent into recognizable professional stars.
That expansion is arriving alongside stronger media distribution, with AUSL receiving coverage from MLB Network, ESPN, ABC and CBS. For the athletes hearing their names called, the “Golden Ticket” represented more than a draft selection. It marked entry into a league trying to establish long-term staying power through talent, visibility and market growth.
Round 1
Round 1 set the tone for the night, with teams targeting established stars who bring high-level production and immediate professional upside.
Pick 1: Blaze — Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee, Pitcher
Pickens opened the draft as the top overall selection after building one of the most dominant pitching résumés in college softball. The Tennessee right-hander was credited with a 79.4 mph pitch, a 1.49 ERA and 810 strikeouts. Her combination of velocity and swing-and-miss stuff made her one of the clearest impact arms in the class.
Pick 2: Volts — NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech, Pitcher
Canady followed at No. 2 after a college career defined by elite production and durability. The Texas Tech ace brought a 1.04 ERA, 766.1 innings pitched, 100 wins and 1,100 strikeouts into the professional ranks. Her selection reinforced the premium teams placed on frontline pitching at the top of the draft.
Pick 3: Spark — Maya Johnson, Belmont, Pitcher
Johnson gave Spark another marquee arm. Belmont’s standout entered the draft with a 0.78 ERA, 1,200 strikeouts and Pitcher of the Year honors, making her one of the most decorated pitchers available. Her résumé pointed to both dominance and consistency.
Pick 4: Cascade — Megan Grant, UCLA, Utility
Grant was one of the premier offensive players in the class and gave Cascade a major middle-of-the-order addition. The UCLA standout, now representing a Big Ten program, was credited with 40 home runs, noted in the provided information as an NCAA record, along with a .469 batting average. Her power production made her one of the most notable bats on the board.
Pick 5: Bandits — Jocelyn Erickson, Florida, Catcher
Bandits added one of the top catchers in the class with Erickson. The Florida backstop was credited with Gold Glove honors in 2024 and 2025, a .400 batting average and 21 home runs. Her two-way value behind the plate and in the batter’s box gave Bandits one of the most complete players in Round 1.
Pick 6: Talons — Jordan Woolery, UCLA, Infielder
Talons closed the opening round by selecting Woolery, another standout from UCLA’s Big Ten program. Woolery brought a .992 fielding percentage, 34 home runs, 112 RBI and a .500 batting average. Her production and defensive reliability made her one of the round’s most balanced selections.
Round 2
Round 2 featured another wave of accomplished players, with teams adding power bats, defensive stability and more pitching depth.
Pick 1: Blaze — Reese Atwood, Texas, Catcher
Blaze opened the second round with Atwood, the 2025 NFCA Catcher of the Year. Texas’ standout entered the draft with 73 home runs and 281 RBI, giving Blaze another major offensive threat and a proven presence at a premium position.
Pick 2: Volts — Leighann Goode, Texas, Infielder
Volts followed with Goode, an infielder who brought a .345 batting average and 11 home runs. Her profile added infield depth and steady offensive production to a roster that had already secured a frontline pitcher in Round 1.
Pick 3: Cascade — Sydney Stewart, Arizona, Catcher
Cascade continued to add impact talent with Stewart from Arizona, now a Big 12 program. Stewart was credited as the Big 12 Player of the Year and entered the draft with a .391 batting average and 62 RBI. Her offensive output and positional value made her one of the most significant Round 2 picks.
Pick 4: Spark — Peja Goold, Mississippi State, Pitcher
Spark returned to the pitching market with Goold. The Mississippi State right-hander brought a 2.17 ERA and 178 strikeouts, giving the club another arm with a strong production base from the college level.
Pick 5: Bandits — Taryn Kern, Stanford, Infielder
Bandits added more infield power with Kern, who entered the draft with a 1.304 OPS, a .351 batting average and 67 home runs. Her statistical profile pointed to significant offensive upside and made her one of the round’s more dangerous bats.
Pick 6: Talons — Taylor Tinsley, UCLA, Pitcher
Talons closed Round 2 with another UCLA standout. Tinsley, pitching for the Bruins in the Big Ten, brought a 2.42 ERA, 552 strikeouts and 71 wins. Her résumé gave Talons a proven collegiate arm with substantial experience.
Round 3
Round 3 was shorter but still included accomplished players with defensive value, versatility and proven production.
Pick 1: Bandits — Ailana Agbayani, Oklahoma, Infielder
Bandits opened the round by selecting Agbayani from Oklahoma. The Sooners infielder entered the draft with Gold Glove honors and a .979 fielding percentage, giving Bandits another reliable defensive piece in the infield.
Pick 2: Spark — Amari Harper, Oregon, Utility
Spark used its next selection on Harper, a versatile option from Oregon. Harper was credited with a .396 batting average and 49 RBI, adding a productive bat and lineup flexibility.
Pick 3: Cascade — Kenzie Brown, Arizona State, Pitcher
Cascade added another arm with Brown from Arizona State. Brown entered the draft with a 1.78 ERA, 555 strikeouts and 37 wins, giving the club additional pitching depth and a strong statistical track record.
Pick 4: Blaze — Dakota Kennedy, Arkansas, Outfielder
Blaze closed Round 3 with Kennedy, an outfielder from Arkansas who brought a .394 batting average and Gold Glove credentials. Her selection added athleticism and defensive quality to the roster.
Round 4
The final round included one last addition as teams completed the 2026 draft board.
Pick 1: Cascade — Kenleigh Cahalan, Florida, Utility
Cascade made the lone Round 4 selection with Cahalan from Florida. The utility player entered the draft with a .377 batting average, giving the club another versatile offensive piece to round out its class.
Conclusion on league growth
The 2026 AUSL Draft offered another clear sign that the league is entering a new phase. Moving from four teams to six is a tangible expansion of the professional softball landscape, and the draft class gave each club fresh talent to build around.
Just as important, AUSL continues to gain mainstream visibility through coverage on MLB Network, ESPN, ABC and CBS. That kind of exposure can help transform draft picks into recognizable professional names and strengthen the league’s standing in the broader sports business conversation. For the players who received the “Golden Ticket,” the draft marked the beginning of a professional opportunity. For AUSL, it marked another step in building a larger, more visible future.