Reese Atwood Named to 2026 USA Softball Women’s National Team Pool

OKLAHOMA CITY — University of Texas catcher Reese Atwood has been named to the 2026 USA Softball Women’s National Team athlete pool, the organization announced on April 2, 2026. The 36-player roster, selected by the Women’s National Team Selection Committee, will represent the United States in international competition this year and form the foundation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle.

Atwood, the 2025 NFCA Catcher of the Year and Johnny Bench Award winner, is one of seven current NCAA Division I athletes included in the pool. The Texas career home run record holder joins 29 former collegiate standouts on a roster led by WNT head coach Patty Gasso.

AUSL Connections Across the Roster

Several other players with ties to the Athletes Unlimited Softball League also earned selections to the national team pool. Fellow 2026 AUSL Golden Ticket recipients NiJaree Canady of Texas Tech and Karlyn Pickens of Tennessee were named to the 36-player roster, reinforcing the strength of the inaugural AUSL draft class at the international level.

From the professional ranks, 2025 AUSL veterans Ana Gold and Sierra Sacco-Ferrie also earned roster spots. Gold, the 2025 AUSL Rookie of the Year who plays for the Carolina Blaze, and Sacco-Ferrie of the Portland Cascade both received Golden Tickets during the 2025 cycle and have established themselves as professional standouts.

Jordy Frahm, a two-way player from Nebraska and a top 2026 AUSL draft prospect, was also named to the pool, further connecting the national team pipeline to the league’s upcoming draft.

2026 International Schedule

The national team is preparing for a busy 2026 schedule that includes the USA Softball International Cup from July 30 to Aug. 3 in Oklahoma City and the WBSC World Cup Group Stage in September, also in Oklahoma City. Both events serve as early preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where softball returns after being included in the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Gasso, who has led the University of Oklahoma to multiple NCAA championships, will oversee a staff that includes assistant coaches Lonni Alameda (Florida State) and Howard Dobson (Alabama).

Another Milestone for Atwood

Atwood’s selection adds another distinction to a decorated career that already includes AUSL Golden Ticket No. 2, announced on March 28, 2026, securing her place in the league’s inaugural college draft on May 4 on ESPN2. She is widely regarded as one of the top catchers in the 2026 draft class and has been a cornerstone of the No. 1 Texas Longhorns lineup alongside fellow Golden Ticket recipient Leighann Goode.

The 2026 AUSL College Draft is scheduled for May 4 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with the Carolina Blaze holding the No. 1 overall pick.