About the Carolina Blaze
The Carolina Blaze held the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 AUSL College Draft and used it on Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens on May 4. Based in Durham, North Carolina, the Blaze play their home games at Smith Family Stadium on the Duke University campus.
In 2025, the Blaze drafted Emma Lemley (Pick #3) and Ana Gold (Pick #9). Gold earned 2025 AUSL Rookie of the Year honors in her debut season.
Venue: Smith Family Stadium
- Location: Duke University East Campus, Durham, NC 27708
- Capacity: ~900 spectators
- Parking: Accessible parking in the Bivins Lot off Brodie Gym Drive. General parking in Duke East Campus lots.
- Facilities: Three indoor batting cages, press box with separate radio/TV/media booths, 17×32-foot Daktronics videoboard (installed 2024)
The Blaze hosted 10 home games during the 2026 regular season. Smith Family Stadium is the first women’s professional sports property in North Carolina.
2026 Season
- Record: 9-16
- Regular-season finish: Fifth of six
- Head Coach: Kara Dill
- General Manager: Dana Sorensen
The Blaze finished 9-16 and did not reach the postseason.
Reese Atwood was named 2026 AUSL Rookie of the Year and the All-AUSL catcher. The No. 7 overall pick hit .309 with 25 RBI and a team-leading eight home runs.
2026 AUSL schedule and results
2027 Signings
The Blaze began building the 2027 roster on Oct. 13, 2026. Players signed so far:
- Karlyn Pickens, pitcher (read more)
- Reese Atwood, catcher
- Aubrey Leach, infielder
Source: AUSL: Carolina Blaze 2027 signings tracker.
2026 Draft Class
3 players selected in the 2026 AUSL College Draft — May 4, 2026 on ESPN2.
Roster
The full Carolina Blaze roster is on the official AUSL site.