This time next year, Team USA will be finalizing the softball roster for the LA28 Olympics. That means the next 12 months of performance and competition are crucial for athletes to earn a spot on the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Softball wasn’t included in the last 2024 Games, and it’s been over a decade since the USA won gold. With a new head coach in Oklahoma’s Patty Gasso and an almost entirely fresh athlete pool, international events like the WBSC Softball Group Stage Event offer much to glean. These are four takeaways:
1. Pitching is dominant
USA Softball continues to dominate, particularly in the circle. The Group Stage staff of Lexi Kilfoyl, Rachel Garcia, Kelly Maxwell, Montana Fouts, and Karlyn Pickens did not surrender a run over six games. In fact, they gave up only eight hits and had 49 strikeouts across 30 innings.
Almost every game featured two arms: a starter and a reliever who split the load. Fouts and Pickens both threw complete five-inning run-rule victories. Fouts struck out eight, allowing three hits and no walks against the Netherlands. Pickens recorded a game-high 10 strikeouts against New Zealand with only one hit and no walks.
All of these athletes except Garcia would be first-time Olympians; Garcia competed with Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Games while in college. These five arms aren’t even the depth available in the circle: Megan Faraimo, NiJaree Canady, Ally Carda, Keilani Ricketts and college athlete Teagan Kavan are on the 2026 Women’s Elite Team. USA recently announced the roster for the Japan All-Star Series, which added Kenzie Brown to the mix.
While the exact number of rostered pitchers remains to be finalized, it’s estimated at around four spots.
2. Maya Brady is Elite
While much of the roster is up in the air, one player feels certain to be on the next Olympic team: Maya Brady. She continues to showcase consistency at the plate through two AUSL seasons and on the world stage.
At the WBSC Softball Group Stage Event, Brady batted .647, leading the team with 11 hits and five home runs. Three of those homers came in one game, and she was named the Most Outstanding Player. She was a mainstay at left field throughout the entire tournament, providing elite speed in the outfield and on the basepaths.
Brady’s distinction dates back to her days at UCLA, and as a pro she’s continued to pace the best in the world, posting some of the best numbers. This past season with the Oklahoma City Spark, her .403 average was the second-best in the league, and she led the league in homers.
3. Skylar Wallace is playing a new position
An interesting change to watch was Skylar Wallace at a new position. The everyday shortstop for the Chicago Bandits and former NFCA Player of the Year at the University of Florida got all her playing time in right field or at first base.
This seems an incredibly strategic move, as the middle infield positions, especially shortstop, are crowded. On the team that competed in the Group Stage event alone, Erin Coffel, Tiare Jennings, and Alyssa Brito were all options at shortstop (although Brito only played third).
Meanwhile, right field seems up in the air, and first base doesn’t have a clear-cut option either. Wallace can make the transition, and her strong arm and speed make her a great outfield candidate.
Wallace’s offensive skill set includes small-ball, contact hitting, and occasional power, making her a valuable table setter in the lineup. She’s classified as a utility for Team USA, and developing a new position increases her chances of making the team.
4. Utility was on display
Speaking of utility, expect that to be a priority heading into LA28. Defensive flexibility can not only increase athletes’ odds of making the team but also their chances of contributing.
Aubrey Leach also comes to mind here; she can play second base and also spent some time in right field during the tournament. She also came off the bench as a pinch hitter. Jennings spent some innings at first base in addition to shortstop, and Kayla Kowalik brings that to the table too as a catcher and outfielder.
Coach Gasso was testing multiple options at first base during the tournament.
The next competition is the Japan All-Star Series. This roster has some repeats from the WBSC World Cup Group Stage Event, with other faces mixed in as the team looks to develop additional talent.
The Japan All-Star Series will be the ultimate test for the United States against No. 1 Japan. The two best national teams in softball will go head-to-head in a three-game series Nov. 19-22.
Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter for the AUSL. You can follow her on Instagram @savvyco.
