Here are all the players protected from AUSL Expansion Draft

In building off the success of its debut season, Athletes Unlimited Softball League is expanding for the 2026 season.

As part of that process, each of the four original teams (Talons, Blaze, Bandits and Volts) were allowed to protect five players, with the two new teams (Cascade and Oklahoma City Spark) being able to pick from the pool of unprotected players.

You can click here for more on the mechanics of the Expansion Draft and the subsequent Allocation Draft that will determine the rosters for the 2026 season.

The Expansion and Allocation Drafts will take place on Monday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU. Below are the protected players for each of the original four teams:

PROTECTED PLAYERS

TALONS
1. Georgina Corrick, RHP (AUSL Pitcher of the Year)
General manager Lisa Fernandez on Corrick: "A consistent performer in the circle, Georgina combines elite command with a high-level softball IQ. Her precision, poise and defensive ability at her position make her a dependable force every time she takes the field."

2. Megan Faraimo, RHP
General manager Lisa Fernandez on Faraimo: "A true competitor on and off the field, Megan’s energy and passion elevate everyone around her. She embodies dominance in all zones, competing with confidence, focus, and a contagious drive to win."

3. Hannah Flippen, INF (AUSL Defensive Player of the Year)
General manager Lisa Fernandez on Flippen: "A versatile athlete with elite skills for the game. Hannah’s leadership, high IQ and consistent production in high-pressure situations make her valuable to any roster."

4. Sharlize Palacios, C
General manager Lisa Fernandez on Palacios: "A proven leader behind the plate, Sharlize is a true game changer who impacts the game in countless ways. Her elite defensive skill set, exceptional game-calling ability, and powerful offensive presence make her one of the most complete catchers in the game."

5. Montana Fouts, P
General manager Lisa Fernandez on Fouts: "A fierce leader in the circle and an incredible ambassador for the sport. Her command, presence, and intensity set the tone for her team’s success and inspires the next generation of competitors."

BLAZE
1. Ana Gold, 3B (AUSL Rookie of the Year)
General manager Dana Sorensen on Gold: “Ana Gold was a breakout rookie star in the 2025 season. She is one of the best defensive players on the field, and made plays at third base in her first pro game. She is one of the top third basemen in the league, but has the defensive skill set to play shortstop as well, giving a lot of versatility on the field. At the plate, she quietly carried a .427 OBP and 1.094 OPS and tied for third in homers, all while playing her first full season in the pro league.”

2. Baylee Klingler, INF (AUSL All-Defensive Team)
General manager Dana Sorensen on Klinger: "Klingler is a true versatile player, with capabilities of playing both infield corner positions as well as both outfield corner positions. Offensively, she was one of the hardest hitters at the plate to strike out, with a 4% strikeout rate and a .571 slugging percentage. Baylee is a glue player in the clubhouse and always brings an infectious love of the game."

3. Aubrey Leach, INF
General manager Dana Sorensen on Leach: "Aubrey is a true leader and captain on the field. One of the brightest softball minds on the dirt, she brings leadership to the infield and is the epitome of a professional player. Leach finished in the top 10 in both average and on-base percentage. She can both beat you at the plate with the short game as well as drive the ball in the gap."

4. Kayla Kowalik, C
General manager Dana Sorensen on Kowalik: "The 2025 All-Star Cup Champion is only just beginning her rise as one of the top players in the game. She is steadily becoming one of the brightest and trusted pitch callers behind the dish, not afraid to challenge conventional thinking on pitch sequencing, and is always ready to learn new avenues of thinking. At the plate, she does not present as a traditional hitter, but is one of the toughest outs in the league. We are looking forward to continued growth from her offensively, combining her ability to get on base with the power to drive the ball in the gaps and out of the park."

5. Keilani Ricketts, P
General manager Dana Sorensen on Ricketts: "Keilani had a rough start to her first season battling injury, but once healthy, she proved that she still is one of the toughest pitchers to barrel up. She was absolutely one of the most dominant pitchers in the second half of the season and carried that success through the All-Star Cup. Keilani is someone you can build a very diverse staff around, and her experience in all levels of the game speaks for itself."

BANDITS
1. Erin Coffel, INF (AUSL MVP, AUSL Hitter of the Year)
General manager Jenn Dalton-Hill on Coffel: “Erin dominated at the plate, garnering the top two accolades as Hitter of the Year and AUSL MVP in the 2025 regular season. Her ability to self-evaluate and adjust her game plan and approach set her apart in her preparation, and it translated into her production at the plate. She quickly became the backbone of the middle of the offensive lineup and played stellar defense in the middle of the field.”

2. Lexi Kilfoyl, RHP
General manager Jenn Dalton-Hill on Kilfoyl: "Lexi proved why she was the first pick in the Draft last season by tossing the third-lowest ERA in the regular season and tied for the most wins by any pitcher in the league. The maturity she shows in game and her ability to control the strike zone give us confidence against any team in the AUSL. We project her improvement to be exponential as we tap into her ability to expand her pitching repertoire."

3. Taylor McQuillin, LHP
General manager Jenn Dalton-Hill on McQuillin: "Having a lefty on staff is a unique commodity, and to be able to utilize the experienced maturity that Taylor brings to the circle makes us confident that she will mix well with many different pitchers. Her proficiency to communicate clearly and directly with her teammates and coaches proved to be an unbelievable asset to the Bandits last season."

4. Morgan Zerkle, OF
General manager Jenn Dalton-Hill on Zerkle: "Morgan may be one of the oldest players in the league, but she set herself apart with the power she put up last season. The league leader in home runs, she led off for the Bandits with speed, power, and a calm yet aggressive demeanor that set the tone for the rest of the lineup. Her offensive numbers have improved each year she has played professionally, and we are impressed with her ability to continue to evolve and grow as a player."

5. Skylar Wallace, INF
General manager Jenn Dalton-Hill on Wallace: "Leadership is such an important part of any team sport, and Skylar held the reins for the Bandits last season. She holds herself to the highest standards in the offseason and pushes everyone around her to be their best in-season. Not only does she lead with confidence, but she became a player that held our team together from the plate as well as up the middle defensively in 2025."

VOLTS
1. Rachel Garcia, RHP
General manager Cat Osterman on Garcia: "Rachel was our anchor in the circle in 2025 and showed why she is still one of the best arms in the game. Any time she has the ball, we have a chance to win the ballgame. Her competitive nature is second to none.”

2. Amanda Lorenz, OF
General manager Cat Osterman on Lorenz: "She’s one of the most competitive athletes you’ll meet, and that’s shown as she drove our offense from the start of the season. She remains one of the best hitters in the game with consistency and power."

3. Mia Scott, UTIL
General manager Cat Osterman on Scott: "Mia is a dynamic player who came with a ton of fanfare. She is exciting to watch on both sides of the ball. We look forward to showcasing her speed and athleticism in year two."

4. Tiare Jennings, INF
General manager Cat Osterman on Jennings: "She’s as elite as they come on both sides of the ball. Her ability to change the game on defense or with a long ball makes her an asset for our roster."

5. Dejah Mulipola, C
General manager Cat Osterman on Mulipola: "Dejah is one of the smartest catchers in the game. Defensively, she works for her pitching staff, calls a great game, and has a strong arm. You can’t sleep on her offensively either. We look for her to provide the power she’s notorious for in 2026."