27 AUSL Players Named to 2026 USA Softball Women’s National Team Athlete Pool

OKLAHOMA CITY — Twenty-seven players currently competing in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League were named to the 36-player 2026 USA Softball Women’s National Team athlete pool on April 2, 2026, representing all six AUSL franchises and underlining the league’s position as the premier stage for elite professional softball in America.

Full AUSL Representation Across All Six Franchises

The 2026 WNT athlete pool is dominated by AUSL talent, with players from every team in the league earning consideration for national team duty. The Utah Talons lead all teams with six selections: Megan Faraimo, Sharlize Palacios, Hannah Flippen, Sahvanna Jaquish, Jayda Coleman, and Montana Fouts. The Carolina Blaze matched the Talons with six nominees: Aubrey Leach, Keilani Ricketts, Kayla Kowalik, Baylee Klingler, Alyssa Brito, and 2025 AUSL Rookie of the Year Ana Gold.

The Texas Volts contributed five players — Rachel Garcia, Amanda Lorenz, Dejah Mulipola, Tiare Jennings, and Ally Carda — while the Oklahoma City Spark placed four: Maya Brady, Sydney McKinney, Bubba Nickles-Camarena, and Kinzie Hansen-McKinzie. The Chicago Bandits contributed four — Lexi Kilfoyl, Skylar Wallace, Erin Coffel, and Morgan Zerkle — and the Portland Cascade had two: Sierra Sacco-Ferrie and Kelly Maxwell.

AUSL College Draftees Also Recognized

In addition to the 27 current AUSL professionals, the pool includes three 2026 AUSL College Draftees: Reese Atwood (Texas, Catcher), NiJaree Canady (Texas Tech, Pitcher), and Karlyn Pickens (Tennessee, RHP). All three hold Golden Tickets for the May 4 2026 AUSL College Draft.

Nebraska pitcher and two-way player Jordy Frahm — considered among the top prospects for the 2026 AUSL Draft — was also named to the pool. Frahm set a Nebraska single-season record with eight saves this year and is among the most nationally recognized draft-eligible pitchers heading into the May 4 selection.

Olympic Implications for 2028 Los Angeles Games

The pool forms the foundation of USA Softball’s preparation for the 2025–28 Olympic quadrennial cycle, with the 2028 Los Angeles Games as the ultimate target. The WNT athlete pool will be evaluated across multiple upcoming competitions, including the 2026 International Cup (July 30–August 3, Oklahoma City) and the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage (September 12–16).

Notably, the 2026 International Cup will be held in Oklahoma City — the home market of the AUSL’s OKC Spark — creating a unique overlap between AUSL team schedules and the USA Softball calendar this summer.

Looking Ahead

The depth of AUSL talent in the 2026 WNT pool reinforces the league’s growing national profile just weeks before its inaugural 2026 season. With the AUSL College Draft set for May 4 on ESPN2 and the season opener on June 9, the league is positioned to serve as a key proving ground for national team candidates heading toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.