Last year, I took a swing at grading the four Athletes Unlimited Softball League teams after they built their inaugural rosters. Some things I got right, like giving the Talons an ‘A’ with the strongest bullpen and a balance of contact and power hitters. Others I got very wrong (I ranked the Bandits with the lowest grade). How was I supposed to know Erin Coffel, Morgan Zerkle, and Sydney McKinney would have the best offensive seasons of their pro careers?

The point is, grading teams is hard, and you’ll never get it all right. However, it’s a way to take a broad look at roster-building goals and the draft process.

So here we are, a year later, with the four original teams and now two expansion clubs heading into 2026 after undergoing expansion and allocation drafts.

This is a report card of all six teams’ rosters for the second year of the AUSL.

Talons

The 20-6 Talons are coming off winning the first-ever AUSL Championship, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The team lost the most players of any team during the expansion portion of the draft, where the Cascade and Spark selected players from the existing team rosters. This left them with some holes to fill.

To start, General Manager Lisa Fernandez protected Georgina Corrick, Megan Faraimo, Montana Fouts, Sharlize Palacios, and Hannah Flippen. Keeping intact the best pitching staff last season and their starting catcher puts them ahead of the curve. This core had the lowest ERA on the season, standing at 3.69 with a league-leading 126 strikeouts.

The team was later able to protect Caroline Jacobsen and Sahvanna Jaquish, which I thought were the right moves for the team. Jacobsen is the best rightfielder in the league and was the team’s best hitter last year. She led the Talons in average (.367), on-base percentage (.432), slugging (.582), total hits (29), and OPS (1.014). We didn’t see much of Jaquish in 2025 – she only started in nine games, but she does give the team a ton of defensive flexibility and has the resume of a strong offensive piece.

I thought Fernandez and head coach Howard Dobson did a great job filling in what was lost. They added outfielder Jayda Coleman with their first pick in the Expansion Draft, bringing experience and athleticism to the outfield, similar to Brady. Keeping Allchin is like an additional protection because of the influence she had on the team, not only as the starting left fielder for almost the entire season, but also the culture she’ll continue as an athlete on the original Talons squad.

Outfielder Aliyah Andrews was another pickup for the team, which leads me to believe the Talons may have one of, if not the most elite, outfield defenses in the league.

Like Allchin and Andrews, Rachel Becker provides additional speed. She played in the 2023 Championship Season (now known as the All-Star Cup) but didn’t get a ton of opportunities, with only 16 at-bats. Becker has been playing in other pro leagues in the U.S. since then. Maddie Moore is a bit of a wild card; she hasn’t played pro since finishing her All-American career at Clemson in 2025.

One thing I am excited about is Bri Ellis’ second season on the Talons roster without the expectation of who she was in college. Ellis came to the pro league right off a crushing loss with the Razorbacks in Super Regionals and with the weight of the world on her shoulders as the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Losing Tori Vidales, the first base position is open for Ellis to hone as her own on the Talons in 2026. With time in the offseason to regroup, train, and prepare for her second year as a pro, Ellis could step into defining the next part of her career and be a key piece for the Talons’ offense that lost some of its power.

Where they excelled: Filling the holes left from expansion, keeping the bullpen intact, retaining the Talons culture

Where they could improve: Additional pitchers in the college draft to support veteran arms, and develop power hitters in the offseason

Grade: A+

Bandits

The Bandits were a team that took off from the start of the inaugural season and found themselves competing for the AUSL Championship against the Talons in Tuscaloosa. Their offense was not only powerful but consistent: they led the circuit in hits with 241 (more than the next team by over 30 hits), 147 RBIs, and a whopping 38 home runs. The hottest hitting team in the AUSL kept a majority of that firepower through protecting Hitter of the Year and reigning MVP Erin Coffel, along with Morgan Zerkle and Skylar Wallace.

Between their protections and additions, I think the Bandits have one of the most dynamic offenses yet again in 2026. Bella Dayton flew under the radar as one of the most steady hitters in the league, ranking in the top 15 in batting average and on-base percentage. The thought of adding another power-hitter like Jocelyn Alo to the group is daunting. The loss of batting champion Sydney McKinney will be felt, but General Manager Jenny Dalton-Hill hopes that Jessica Clements will fill that role as a multi-skillset hitter in the mix. They also picked up corner infielder Sami Williams, who was a promising athlete in her rookie season with AU Pro Softball back in 2021 but was injured and didn’t play much of the season. Since then, though, she has continued playing in other pro leagues in the U.S.

The inaugural championship showed that consistent pitching is hard to beat. That’s why securing Kat Sandercock was a major win for the Bandits in the Allocation Draft. She is an arm that can be used at any time as a starter to throw seven innings, middle reliever, or closer.

At times last year, this was exactly the type of pitcher the Bandits lacked to get them through series and close out games. Lexi Kilfoyl was a true ace for the team, throwing 57.2 innings, the most of any pitcher in the league. Taylor McQuillin is the ultimate competitor, and even though there were outings she didn’t look her sharpest, she’s a lefty who is always evolving. Emiley Kennedy is a returning rookie to the squad who struggled in her debut season. She threw only 25.1 innings, but will need to be trusted with a heavier load in year two. I particularly liked how the team utilized Odicci Alexander-Bennett last year; she had three starts but appeared in 13 games for a 3.54 ERA, which made her one of the best middle relief pitchers in the league. We didn’t see her as much towards the back half of the summer because she was pregnant with her baby, who is due next month.

The relationship the pitchers formed with their catcher, Mary Iakopo, remains intact as she was protected later in the Expansion Draft. Iakopo struggled offensively, but has an opportunity in the offseason to develop that aspect of her game to have an all-around impact on the field.

Where they excelled: All around, this team feels very similar to last season, while boosting some intentional areas like pitching

Where they could improve: A corner infielder or utility to hit for contact, and pursue another arm in the college draft

Grade: B+

Spark

Selected in expansion: Maya Brady (1), Sydney McKinney (4), Sydney Romero (5), Jessi Warren (8), Alana Vawter (9), Bubba Nickles-Camarena (12), Delanie Wisz (13)

Selected in allocation: Kinzie Hansen (2), Maddie Penta (7), Jailyn Ford (14), Billie Andrews (19), Sydney Sherrill (26), Haley Lee (31)

The Spark held a unique position at the draft as an existing club with history that joined the AUSL to start the next chapter of the franchise. They won the first pick in the Expansion Draft and selected outfielder Maya Brady, which I think was a no-brainer for the team due to her athleticism, power at the plate, and defensive versatility. 

What shocked many, including Spark General Manager Kirk Walker, was that Sydney McKinney was still on the board after the Cascade made double picks. Securing the 2025 batting champion (.457 average), who is coming off a season finishing second in hits (32) and third in on-base percentage (.472), shifted the makeup of the Spark. Then, they picked up Sydney Romero and Jessi Warren.

I think it’s safe to say the Spark came out with an incredible, adaptable defense—McKinney and Romero both play multiple infield positions, Warren is the best defensive third baseman in the game, and Brady brings leadership in the outfield you can build a team around. The Spark’s first four picks left me stunned that a team starting from scratch could have so much built-in leadership and experience. Throw in Bubba Nickles-Camarena and Delanie Wisz, and this defense is ready to take the field.

The pitching staff started with Alana Vawter, who often throws a dropball that can get you groundballs and fend off home runs. She was on an injured and strained Blaze staff last year, so if used more intentionally, she could pair well with the defense.

In the Expansion Draft, Walker selected pitchers Maddie Penta and Jailyn Ford. Penta played in the shortened 2024 AUX format in 2024 and was a bit up and down with a 2-1 record and 3.94 ERA in 21.1 innings thrown. She relies on velocity paired with a nasty change-up and rise ball. Although the exact OKC Spark stats from previous seasons aren’t available, Penta carried the load for the team and was their most reliable arm. Then throw in Jailyn Ford, who I’d consider a steal coming in at pick No. 14. She’s largely unknown to all hitters in the AUSL—this is her first time competing with the league, and has spent a decade as a pro playing all across the United States and Japan. A coveted lefty, Ford masters location and spin. She’s a great glove too and is like a fifth infielder when she’s in the circle. Aside from the Talons, the Spark are the only other team to have only three arms after the draft, so at least two of their picks in the college draft will be pitchers. This class is deep, especially in the circle, so two rookies will need to integrate well into this group.

A key part of how the staff will function is through the starting catcher, and the Spark secured a local favorite in Kinzie Hansen. Last season, as an assistant on the Talons and primarily working with pitchers, Walker saw how far an elite catcher could push a pitching staff to be the best in the league and win them a championship. No surprise he valued Hansen in the same way. She’s also a physical, powerhouse hitter at the plate. She has an established connection to the community and fans in OKC, which is important for the team moving forward.

Other pick-ups for the team in the Allocation Draft include athletes who have played in an AU Pro Softball format before: infielders Billie Andrews and Sydney Sherrill, and utility Haley Lee. Andrews did well as a rookie in the 2024 AUX format, hitting .324 with four home runs in 24 at-bats. Lee also competed in that season and, with five starts, didn’t see the field much. Sherrill is a former teammate of Warren at Florida State but is from Oklahoma. She was a 2022 draftee and only played one season with AU.

Where they excelled: Incredibly sound defensively, a balance of R/L in the lineup, with championship experience

Where they could improve: Arms have to be a priority in the college draft

Grade: B–

Volts

The Volts were one spot above the Blaze in the final standings last season with eight wins on the season. Instead of pitching woes, they floundered offensively. They had the lowest batting average in the league at .266 and didn’t break 100 runs. On paper, this wasn’t expected of the Volts coming into the season; they have plenty of power bats and proven experience as pros. At the draft’s conclusion, they left the least amount of room for college draftees; only two rookies will be on the 2026 Volts squad. So what you see now will most likely be the core that takes the field this season.

Losing two pitchers in the Expansion Draft, they added Ally Carda, Alyssa Denham, and Aliyah Binford. Carda was a huge get for the Volts with plenty of experience on the biggest stages in softball and the poise to carry a staff. Denham is a proven winner within Athletes Unlimited and missed the 2025 season due to back surgery. This season will mark her return, and if she’s returning as the Alyssa Denham we’ve seen in years past, those two paired with Rachel Garcia are scary to face. Aliyah Binford came out of the reserve pool last summer and didn’t see a ton of innings; she had a 1-1 record from 13.2 innings thrown and 4.61 ERA. But Binford can also be used as a position player and has a powerful bat, so Volts General Manager Cat Osterman might be getting creative with how they use the two-way player.

The returning position players for the Volts are star-studded: Amanda Lorenz, Tiare Jennings, Dejah Mulipola, Mia Scott, Sierra Romero, Ciara Briggs, Kelsey Stewart-Hunter, Michaela Edenfield, and Danieca Coffey. Since this is nearly the same squad as last summer, one wonders what could change between now and when the team reports in May. They have a new head coach in Ricci Woodard, and I think it will be on a fresh staff to help the team establish its identity in year two, as well as develop as a lineup. Rylie Boone will be the new athlete in the mix with the Volts. The OU alum is an outfielder with a big bat and fiery personality.

The pieces have always been there for the Volts, but they need to resolve what seemed to be team and chemistry issues to move on from a frustrating first year.

Where they excelled: Veteran-heavy team; boosted the pitching staff to better support Garcia

Where they could improve: Need to resolve chemistry issues and have fewer lineup changes compared to last year

Grade: C+

Cascade

For a team built just two weeks ago, the Cascade doesn’t feel like a brand-new team. The athletes and experience drafted to the squad create a vision that’s easy to see before they’ve ever taken the field. They’re athletic, fast, and smart.

Positionally, the Cascade are strong up the middle with Sierra Sacco in center field, Sis Bates at shortstop, and Mia Davidson behind the dish. Adding outfielders like Kendra Falby and Korbe Otis makes them young but built with players who either played a lot of innings in their rookie year or came in with a breadth of college experience on winning teams.

Piage Sinicki and Ali Newland were both reserve pool players who found their way onto this squad, and for good reason. Sinicki can hold down the hot corner, and Newland can play just about any position in the field when needed. Tori Vidales will be the heartbeat of this team as the athlete with the most experience and success at the professional level and with the personality to bring the team to life. Offensively, the Cascade lacks some in the slugging right now, and it can be expected of them to be a scrappier team at the plate that plays small ball.

Cascade General Manager Jami Lobpries went an unexpected route with three out of four of her first picks in the Expansion Draft being pitchers. Sam Landry, Carley Hoover, and Payton Gottshall are all returners from the inaugural season. Kelly Maxwell was the team’s first pick in the Allocation Draft. There is major upside to this staff, but with some hesitation.

Landry struggled with the Volts during her rookie year with a 4.85 ERA. Granted, she was on a team that had its woes. She came directly from the Women’s College World Series with little rest or time to acclimate to the pros. Landry will be a focal point of this pitching staff and has the opportunity this offseason to train and come into 2026 in a much different form than last year.

Hoover, on the other hand, is a veteran but one who’s yet to be proven in the AUSL. She threw only 0.2 innings in her debut before coming out of the game and not returning for the rest of the season. She was the No. 1 pick of the draft for the Blaze last year for a reason, and with a healthy summer with Cascade, she can prove why. Gottshall was a reliable middle-relief arm for the Volts, who had the fourth-best ERA in the league at 3.40. That number was inflated during the All-Star Cup, but she’s a pitcher who can help carry a staff through games when used correctly. Having a lefty on staff in Maxwell mixes things up, and during college, she had a high strikeout rate. She’s competed on the international stage with Team USA, but this is her first time playing in the most competitive circuit in the U.S. in the AUSL.

Where they excelled: Creating a team identity and drafting players with chemistry; they have a near-complete pitching staff

Where they could improve: Picking up power hitters in the college draft, filling in some defensive holes

Grade: C

Blaze

The Blaze struggled in the win-loss column during the inaugural season due to injuries to the pitching staff. They used 10 different pitchers and 15 position players throughout the year. For 2026 to be a bounce-back year for the Blaze, they have the core to do it.

General Manager Dana Sorensen protected mostly position players ahead of the draft: Rookie of the Year Ana Gold, All-Star Cup Champion Kayla Kowalik, Baylee Klingler, and Aubrey Leach. This group creates a strong defensive infield with the brains and bats at the top of a productive lineup. What surprised me was that the Blaze kept more of their roster than the other teams. Nine athletes from the squad last year will return, including Aleshia Ocasio, Devyn Netz, Emma Lemley, and McKenzie Clark. That’s not a knock to these athletes – all these players are elite at their positions and are valuable to a team – but after going 7-17, I thought the team would swing the pendulum to make more drastic changes. But there are things from the All-Star Cup (especially for the pitchers) that played into the decision.

Ocasio struggled throughout the AUSL season. She finished with a 1-3 record and 7.99 ERA. But in the All-Star Cup, her ERA dropped to 1.48, and she picked up two wins and no losses. Same for Ricketts, who was injured for a large chunk of the AUSL season. With the Blaze, she had a 4.20 ERA and one win; in the Cup competition in August, she picked up two wins and had a 1.56 ERA. Jala Wright is an addition to the staff from the Allocation Draft. She was the 2024 ACC Pitcher of the Year with a 44-12 record and 2.00 ERA in her senior season. The Blaze will also have an early pick in the college draft, so expect them to pursue an ace to round out a staff that could really turn around next year.

Also in Allocation, the Blaze added on power hitters Alyssa Brito and Valerie Cagle. Brito posted a .373 career average with 59 homers and 198 RBIs in college, and Cagle is a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year honoree and Gold Glove Winner. Jenna Laird brings an additional Gold Glove to the team at shortstop.

I don’t envy Blaze Head Coach Kara Dill in fitting together all the lineup options the Blaze have. Looking at the 13 players on their roster, how the pieces fit together right now doesn’t jump off the page. The Blaze have pitchers that rely on their defense, so consistency, which they lacked last year, will be important in building confidence. Down the line, they could possibly use one of their additional position players for a trade if needed.

Where they excelled: Defensive versatility and adding power to the lineup

Where they could improve: Strengthen the pitching staff at the college draft; establish chemistry on defense early in preseason

Grade C


Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter for the AUSL. You can follow her on X @savannaecollins.