The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) created a memorable moment in women’s professional sports history on May 3, 2025, when it conducted its inaugural college draft, selecting 12 of the nation’s top collegiate softball players to compete in the league’s first season. The draft, featuring four professional teams and spanning three rounds, brought together elite talent from across the country to launch what many hope will become softball’s answer to major professional sports leagues.
Understanding the AUSL College Draft
The AUSL College Draft represented a unique addition to the league’s inaugural season roster building process. Each of the four teams—the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts—selected three college players to fill out their 16-player rosters, joining nine players who had been selected in the league’s main inaugural draft on January 29, 2025.
The draft order was determined by the teams’ selection in a lottery system, with the Volts earning the coveted first overall pick. The selection process took place over three rounds, with teams alternating picks in standard draft fashion.
The Golden Ticket Experience
In a creative twist that generated significant buzz across college campuses and social media, the AUSL delivered draft selections through surprise “golden ticket” presentations. Players were presented with their golden tickets during team practices, games, or special ceremonies at their respective universities, creating emotional moments shared with teammates, coaches, families, and fans. This approach helped build excitement and awareness for the new professional league while celebrating each draftee’s accomplishment.
Complete 2025 AUSL College Draft Results
Round 1
- Volts – Sam Landry, RHP, Oklahoma
- Talons – Bri Ellis, Corner Infielder, Arkansas
- Blaze – Emma Lemley, Pitcher, Virginia Tech
- Bandits – Cori McMillan, Utility, Virginia Tech
Round 2 5. Talons – Sierra Sacco, Outfielder, Mississippi State 6. Blaze – Korbe Otis, Outfielder, Florida 7. Bandits – Emiley Kennedy, Pitcher, Texas A&M 8. Volts – Michaela Edenfield, Catcher, FSU
Round 3 9. Blaze – Ana Gold, Middle Infielder, Duke 10. Bandits – Devyn Netz, Pitcher, Arizona 11. Volts – Danieca Coffey, Utility, LSU 12. Talons – Raelin Chaffin, Pitcher, Mississippi State
Spotlight: Sam Landry, First Overall Pick
Sam Landry’s selection as the first overall pick in the AUSL College Draft capped a remarkable senior season at Oklahoma. The right-handed pitcher transferred to the Sooners from Louisiana-Lafayette for her final college season and made an immediate impact in the highly competitive SEC.
During her 2025 senior campaign, Landry posted an impressive 25-6 record with a 1.94 ERA across 37 appearances. She struck out 186 batters in 191.2 innings while recording six shutouts and 19 complete games. Her dominant performances earned her SEC Newcomer of the Year honors, First Team All-SEC recognition, and a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team.
Landry’s accolades extended beyond conference honors. She was named a First Team All-American by D1Softball and Softball America, received Second Team NFCA All-American recognition, and finished as a Top-25 finalist for USA Softball Player of the Year. Throughout the season, she earned three SEC Pitcher of the Week awards and helped guide Oklahoma to the Women’s College World Series.
Over her four-year college career spanning Louisiana and Oklahoma, Landry compiled an 88-25 record with a 2.07 ERA, 646 strikeouts in 650.2 innings, 43 complete games, and 19 shutouts. Her combination of dominant pitching and consistent performance made her the clear choice for the Volts’ first selection.
Conference and Geographic Distribution
The 12-player draft class showcased the depth of talent in major collegiate softball programs:
By Conference:
- SEC: 7 players (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi State x2, Florida, LSU, Texas A&M, FSU)
- ACC: 4 players (Virginia Tech x2, Duke, FSU)
- Big 12: 1 player (Oklahoma)
- Pac-12: 1 player (Arizona)
By School: Ten different universities were represented in the draft, with Mississippi State and Virginia Tech each seeing two players selected. The heavy SEC presence reflects the conference’s dominance in collegiate softball, while the geographic spread from coast to coast demonstrates the national reach of elite softball talent.
About the Athletes Unlimited Softball League
The AUSL represents a significant investment in women’s professional softball, backed by Athletes Unlimited and Major League Baseball, which announced a strategic investment in the league in May 2025. The league operates under the leadership of Commissioner Kim Ng, the trailblazing executive who made history as the first female general manager in major North American men’s professional sports during her tenure with the Miami Marlins from 2020-2023.
League Structure and Season Format
The inaugural AUSL season features:
- Four Teams: Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts
- 24 Regular Season Games: Each team plays 24 games
- 10 Cities: The touring format visits 10 different cities across the country
- Championship Series: Best-of-three series between the top two teams (July 26-28 at University of Alabama’s Rhoads Stadium)
- All-Star Cup: Following the championship, 60 players compete in a 24-game individual competition using Athletes Unlimited’s innovative scoring system
Opening Day took place on June 7, 2025, with games in Rosemont, Illinois, and Wichita, Kansas. The league plans to transition to a city-based model starting in 2026, when it will expand from four to six teams.
Broadcast and Media Coverage
ESPN signed on as a founding broadcast partner, carrying 33 games exclusively across its platforms in 2025, with 30 airing on linear television (ESPN2 and ESPNU). This significant media partnership provides the AUSL with exposure that previous professional softball leagues have lacked.
Player Compensation
The AUSL offers competitive compensation with average salaries ranging from $40,000-$45,000, with top performers able to earn up to $75,000 through bonus payments and performance incentives. This represents a significant professional opportunity for players who previously had limited earning potential immediately following their college careers.
The Broader Context: Professional Softball’s Evolution
The AUSL enters a space where previous professional softball leagues have struggled to achieve long-term sustainability. Commissioner Kim Ng has emphasized the importance of learning from past attempts while leveraging modern media partnerships, player-centric decision making, and strategic timing around the Women’s College World Series to build momentum.
The league’s timing proves strategic on multiple fronts. The season begins immediately after the conclusion of the Women’s College World Series, allowing the AUSL to capitalize on existing softball viewership. Additionally, softball returns to the Olympic Games in 2028, providing a runway for the league to establish itself before increased international attention on the sport.
Commissioner Kim Ng’s Vision
Ng, who spent more than three decades in Major League Baseball before joining the AUSL, brings valuable experience in league operations, player development, and business strategy. Her softball background—she played the sport at the University of Chicago—provides authentic connection to the game and its community.
“Softball was my first love growing up, so it’s both gratifying and humbling to be given this responsibility at such a pivotal moment for the sport,” Ng stated upon being named commissioner. She has worked to align the softball community behind the AUSL, bringing in experienced general managers, coaches, and staff while ensuring player voices remain central to league decisions.
Draft Class Analysis
Positional Breakdown
The 12 selected players fill critical roster needs:
- Pitchers: 5 (Landry, Lemley, Kennedy, Netz, Chaffin)
- Utility/Multi-Position: 2 (McMillan, Coffey)
- Outfielders: 2 (Sacco, Otis)
- Infielders: 2 (Ellis, Gold)
- Catchers: 1 (Edenfield)
The emphasis on pitching reflects the position’s importance in softball, with five of the 12 selections focused on adding arms to team staffs. The inclusion of utility players demonstrates the value teams place on positional flexibility at the professional level.
College Pedigree
All 12 draftees competed at major Division I programs with strong softball traditions. Many played in high-pressure postseason environments, including NCAA Regional and Super Regional competitions, and several appeared in the Women’s College World Series. This experience competing on big stages should help ease their transition to professional play.
What This Means for Softball
The AUSL College Draft signals several important developments for the sport:
Immediate Professional Pathway: Top college players now have a clear, immediate professional opportunity following graduation, rather than waiting years for Olympics or limited international opportunities.
Increased Visibility: The golden ticket presentations and media coverage surrounding the draft brought attention to both the AUSL and the college players, helping raise the profile of the sport.
Competitive Balance: By spreading college talent across all four teams through the draft, the league promotes competitive balance rather than allowing concentrated talent on one or two teams.
Player Development: College draftees will train and compete alongside established professionals, including Olympic athletes and international stars, accelerating their development.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season
The 12 college draft picks joined established professionals on AUSL rosters, creating teams that blend experience with emerging talent. The inaugural season ran from June 7 through late July, with the championship series determining the first AUSL champion.
For the drafted players, the experience represents both a culmination of their college careers and the beginning of their professional journeys. They compete not only for individual and team success but also to help establish the AUSL as a sustainable professional league that can provide opportunities for future generations of softball players.
The success of the inaugural season and the integration of college draftees will play a crucial role in the AUSL’s plans for expansion to six teams in 2026 and its long-term goal of becoming a permanent fixture in the professional sports landscape.
For complete AUSL schedules, team rosters, and ticket information, visit theausl.com. Follow the league on social media @theauslofficial for updates on the 2025 season and the 2026 expansion.
