Belmont right-hander Maya Johnson was selected with the No. 3 overall pick by the Oklahoma City Spark in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League College Draft on Monday night, becoming the highest professional draft selection in Belmont University history in any sport.
Johnson, a redshirt sophomore from Columbia Station, Ohio, was the third name announced by Commissioner Kim Ng on the league’s ESPN2 broadcast, behind Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens at No. 1 to the Carolina Blaze and Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady at No. 2 to the Texas Volts. The top three picks were all right-handed pitchers.
Johnson’s selection at No. 3 is the highest pro draft pick in Belmont’s history across any varsity sport. The Bruins compete in the Missouri Valley Conference; Johnson’s path to the AUSL is the first by a Belmont softball player and the first by any Belmont athlete picked this high in a major professional draft.
The most strikeouts in active NCAA softball
Johnson enters the AUSL with 1,133 career strikeouts — the most among active NCAA softball pitchers. Her 2026 regular season produced a 25-2 record, a national-best 0.72 ERA, and 344 strikeouts across the Bruins’ MVC schedule.
She opened the 2026 campaign with the second perfect game of her career and only the third in Belmont program history. The Bruins ace was named MVC Pitcher of the Year and earned MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Fit with the Spark’s expansion class
The Oklahoma City Spark are one of two expansion franchises entering the AUSL’s first six-team season alongside the Portland Cascade. With Johnson as the foundation arm, the Spark added Mississippi State right-hander Peja Goold at pick 10 and Oregon utility player Amari Harper at pick 14 — three picks built around a pitcher-anchored roster.
The Spark play home games at Tom Heath Field on the Oklahoma Christian University campus in Edmond, Oklahoma. Head coach Amber Flores and general manager Kirk Walker lead the franchise into its inaugural season.
What’s next
Johnson retains her NCAA eligibility through the end of Belmont’s 2026 postseason and may sign with the Spark once that eligibility expires. The 2026 AUSL season opens June 9. Full pick-by-pick draft results are available in our complete 2026 AUSL College Draft results.
Where did the Oklahoma City Spark draft Maya Johnson?
Johnson was selected No. 3 overall by the OKC Spark in the first round of the 2026 AUSL College Draft on May 4, 2026.
Is Maya Johnson left-handed or right-handed?
Johnson is a right-handed pitcher who bats left-handed. Belmont’s official roster lists her as L/R.
What are Maya Johnson’s career numbers at Belmont?
Johnson holds the most career strikeouts among active NCAA Division I softball pitchers with 1,133. In 2026, she went 25-2 with a national-best 0.72 ERA and 344 strikeouts, plus the second career perfect game of her time at Belmont.
Is Maya Johnson the highest-drafted player in Belmont history?
Yes. Belmont University confirms Johnson’s No. 3 selection is the highest professional draft selection in school history in any sport.
About the AUSL — The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is a professional softball league featuring six teams across major U.S. markets. Commissioner Kim Ng leads the league, which airs 50 games a year on ESPN and ABC. The 2026 season begins June 9.
Sources: Belmont University Athletics; Belmont softball roster; On3 2026 AUSL College Draft Results; MVC Scholar-Athlete release.
About Aspen Eighty
Aspen Eighty is a female-founded, independent digital publication covering the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. We publish breaking news, scores, and player profiles for all six AUSL teams. Our mission is to amplify women’s professional softball and inspire the next generation of athletes.
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