Atwood, Goode go back-to-back in 2nd round of AUSL Draft
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Reese Atwood and Leighann Goode were selected with the first two picks of the second round in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League College Draft on Monday. Texas players Leighann Goode (left) and Reese Atwood were selected with the first two picks of the second round in the AUSL College Draft on Monday. (Getty Images) Atwood was the No.
7 overall pick by the Carolina Blaze, and Goode is staying in the Austin area as the No. 8 pick by the Texas Volts. The duo was honored with the AUSL’s “Golden Ticket” during a series with Texas A&M in March , signifying their draft status, but they didn’t know who drafted them until the AUSL revealed the picks on their selection show.
Full results of the AUSL College Draft Tennessee fireballer Karlyn Pickens, who has the world record for fastest softball pitch at 79. 4 mph, was the No. 1 overall pick by the Blaze.
Atwood will catch for her at the professional level. Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady was the No. 2 pick by the Volts.
The AUSL has expanded to six teams for the 2026 season, with teams in Oklahoma City (Spark) and Portland, Oregon (Cascade), and it’s no longer on a touring schedule. Each team has a home venue in the area they represent — the Volts will play at Dell Diamond in Round Rock — with the season wrapping up at Davis Diamond in College Station for the league title July 23-26/27. Texas softball salvages Arkansas series with finale win to end regular season Opening Day for the league is set for June 9, four days after the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.