The inaugural AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League) Draft took place in Nashville, Tennessee, on Jan. 29. Pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl made history, becoming the first-ever selection as the former Oklahoma State and University of Alabama went to the Bandits. Following Kilfiyl, the next five picks of the draft were pitchers (team):
- No. 2: RHP Carly Hoover (Blaze)
- No. 3: RHP Megan Faraimo (Talons)
- No. 4: RHP Rachel Garcia (Volts)
- No. 5: RHP Aleshia Ocasio (Blaze)
- No. 6: RHP Georgina Corrick (Talons)
Amanda Lorenz, taken by the Volts at No. 7, was the first non-pitcher taken in the draft. The former Florida Gators star led the 2023 Championship season in hits (22), batting average (.479), and on-base percentage (.578). Next, another pitcher, left-hander Taylor McQuillin, went No. 8 to the Bandits.
Selections nine and 10 focused on the catcher position as Sharlize Palacios and Dejah Mulipola were taken by the Talons and Volts, respectively. Palacios made her debut in the Championship Season last year as she hit three home runs in 15 games.
As for Mulipola, it is a return to Athletes Unlimited, winning the 2022 Championship Season. She possesses a career .307 batting average with 61 Runs Batted In (RBIs) and 21 home runs in the league.
How the AUSL Rosters Look After the Draft (Bandits & Blaze)
After the Bandits went pitcher with their first two picks, head coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz and general manager Jenny Dalton-Hill took infielder Skylar Wallace and outfielder Bubba Nickles. What’s more, Dalton-Hill and Nuveman found pitchers Odicci Alexander in Round 10 and Sarah Willis in Round 11.
Nickles, Morgan Zerkle, and Bella Dayton are patrolling the outfield. Wallace, Sydney McKinney, Delaine Wisz, Erin Coffel, and Mia Davidson in the infield. All in all, a great defensive squad with speed.
It just keeps getting BETTER! 🤩
— Bandits | Athletes Unlimited Softball League (@AUSL_Bandits) January 30, 2025
Pitcher @2seas__ out of @JMUSoftball has been selected by the Bandits! #AUSL pic.twitter.com/SYKphiwpfp
Next, Blaze general manager Dana Sorensen and head coach Alisa Goler added stellar defense once they went with Hoover and Ocasio. The Blaze selected middle infielder Aubrey Leach, outfielder Aliyah Andrews, and middle infielder Anissa Urtez with their subsequent three picks. In this instance, the mix of youth and experience cannot be ignored on this Blaze roster.
it’s getting hot in here 🥵
— blaze | athletes unlimited softball league (@AUSL_Blaze) January 31, 2025
this roster is going to bring some serious 🔥 this season #AUSL pic.twitter.com/GS1v0mJJ6E
How the AUSL Rosters Look After the Draft (Talons & Volts)
Looking at the Talons, it was all about the UCLA Bruins for general manager Lisa Fernandez and head coach Howard Dobson. It’s important to note Fernandez is a Bruins legend and a coach with the school. After going with Faraimo and Palacios in Rounds One and Three, the Talons went with another UCLA star, Maya Brady, in Round Five.
Additionally, they landed middle infielder Hannah Flippen in Round Four, Sahvanna Jaquish in the sixth round, and Tori Vidales in Round Eight. All in all, there’s a balance in their lineup and pitching that will be fun to watch.
Almost ready to take flight. 🦅#AUSL pic.twitter.com/Ji13DMrqpl
— Talons | AUSL (@AUSL_Talons) January 31, 2025
Finally, Volts general manager Cat Osterman played in Athletes Unlimited and even won the inaugural Championship Season. Along with head coach Kelly Kretschman, the Volts offense looks to be one to watch this summer. The likes of Lorenz, Mulipola, Erika Piancastelli, and Kelsey Stewart-Hunter will not be fun for whoever is in the circle.
Also, having to face Garcia, Payton Gottshall, and Mariah Mazon does not sound fun. On top of that, Jessi Warren and Sis Bates are unquestionably two of the best defensive players in this league.
Battery CHARGED 🔋🔋🔋
— VOLTS | AUSL (@AUSL_Volts) January 30, 2025
bUzZ BuZz @DejahMulipola! Welcome to the VOLTS pic.twitter.com/8BSdIZB1Ml
All things considered, the Volts look like the team to beat in the AUSL but there’s so much that can happen between now and this summer. The four teams will finish their rosters over the next couple of months via one free agency signing and three picks at the AUSL College Draft this spring.
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