Incoming AUSL rookies set to shine at Women's College World Series 

For those eagerly awaiting the Athletes Unlimited Softball League's second season, the countdown can now officially be measured in days -- Opening Day is scheduled for June 9, and all six teams will be in action for the occasion.

As with any season opener, a lot of the hype leading up to Opening Day revolves around the incoming rookie class, namely those 17 college seniors who received their Golden Tickets earlier this spring.

The good news for all those anxious softball fans? Nine of those 17 draftees (including four first-rounders) will be completing their collegiate careers with one last trip to the Women's College World Series, beginning Thursday, and you'll be able to follow all the action, regardless of whether you're able to make the trip to Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

Six of the eight teams making the trip to the 2026 Women's College World Series will feature at least one incoming AUSL rookie:

Arkansas: Dakota Kennedy, OF

Mississippi State: Peja Goold, RHP

Texas: Reese Atwood, C; Leighann Goode, INF

Texas Tech: Nijaree Canady+, RHP

Tennessee: Karlyn Pickens+, RHP

UCLA: Megan Grant+, UTIL; Taylor Tinsley, RHP; Jordan Woolery+, INF

+Denotes first-round pick

The WCWS will run through Friday, June 5 (if nec.), with Game 1 of the Championship Series set for Wednesday, June 3.

Thursday, May 28

Game 1: Texas Tech vs. Mississippi State - 12 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 2: Texas vs. Tennessee - 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 3: Alabama vs. UCLA - 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Game 4: Nebraska vs. Arkansas - 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2