Karlyn Pickens is staying with the Carolina Blaze. The team added the right-hander to its 2027 signings list, five months after taking her No. 1 overall in the 2026 AUSL College Draft.
The Blaze announced the move on Oct. 13. Contract terms were not released.
Her rookie season
Pickens signed her rookie contract on June 4. She made 15 appearances and 10 starts, going 4-6 with a 3.13 ERA.
She struck out 60 batters in 60 1/3 innings. The AUSL says both totals ranked second in the league. She led the Blaze with four complete games, threw one shutout and held hitters to a .232 average.
The Blaze finished 9-16, fifth of six teams, and missed the postseason.
Atwood and Leach back too
Pickens is one of three Blaze players on the team’s 2027 list so far. Catcher Reese Atwood, the 2026 AUSL Rookie of the Year, also returns. Atwood hit .309 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs and made the All-AUSL Team.
Infielder Aubrey Leach is the third. She played all 25 regular-season games in 2026.
Carolina drafted both Pickens and Atwood on May 4. Pickens went first overall and Atwood seventh. Both are now signed for a second season.
What comes next
Teams across the league are re-signing players over the next month. That group includes 2026 roster players and the league’s provisional draft selections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Karlyn Pickens re-sign with the Carolina Blaze?
Yes. The Blaze announced on Oct. 13, 2026 that Pickens will return for the 2027 season.
How did Karlyn Pickens do in her rookie AUSL season?
She went 4-6 with a 3.13 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings over 15 appearances. She led the Blaze with four complete games.
Which other Blaze players are back for 2027?
Reese Atwood and Aubrey Leach, as of Oct. 13. The team will add more players as they sign.
About the AUSL. The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is a professional softball league with six teams across the U.S. Commissioner Kim Ng leads the league, whose games air on ESPN, ABC, CBS Sports Network and MLB Network.
Sources: AUSL: Carolina Blaze 2027 signings tracker; Knox News: Karlyn Pickens re-signs with the Carolina Blaze; AUSL: Karlyn Pickens player page; AUSL 2026 stats; Featured photo: AUSL.
About Aspen Eighty
Aspen Eighty is a female-founded, independent digital publication covering the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. We publish news, season coverage, 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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