The Portland Cascade and Chicago Bandits compete for a spot in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Championship on Thursday night at Davis Diamond in College Station, Texas. The winner advances to the three-game title series and will face the Utah Talons.
The Cascade has made an immediate impact in the league in the franchises’ first year, finishing the regular season in third place with a 14-11 record. The Bandits (16-9) look to return to the championship series after falling short to the Talons last year.
Play-In Preview: Cascade and Bandits Face Off in AUSL Playoff Game
The win-or-go home matchup features a standout pitchiing match up as right-hander Carley Hoover (9-3, 3.57 takes the circle for the Cascade against Bandits right-hander Kat Sandercock (4-1, 2.43).
Portland Lineup
Starting pitcher: Carley Hoover RHP
Korbe Otis (R) RF
Sierra Sacco-Ferrie (L) LF
Megan Grant (L) 3B
Sydney Stewart (R) C
Kenleigh Cahalan (L) SS
Kendra Falby (L) CF
Sis Bates (L) 2B
Tori Vidales (R) 1B
Mia Davidson (R) DP
Cascade Non-starters: Kenzie Brown RHP, Payton Gottshall RHP, Sam Landry RHP, Kelly Maxwell LHP, Kennedy Powell INF, Sarah Willis RHP
Chicago Lineup
Starting pitcher: Kat Sandercock RHP
Skylar Wallace (L) SS
Sami Williams (R) 3B
Morgan Zerkle (L) CF
Mac Barbara (L) DP
Jocelyn Erickson (L) 1B
Mary Iakopo (R) C
Taryn Kern (L) RF
Bella Dayton (L) LF
Ailana Agbayani (L) 2B
Bandits Non-starters: Odicci Alexander-Bennett RHP, Jessica Clements OF, Lexi Kilfoyl RHP, Amber Fiser RHP, Taylor McQuillin LHP, Kierstin Roose INF
Tune in on July 23 on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available.
