In a move that had softball fans buzzing from coast to coast, Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League Draft on Monday night. The Carolina Blaze made the right-hander the face of their franchise, securing a generational talent who has dominated the college softball landscape.
The Blaze, who will call Duke University's Smith Family Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, their home this season, didn't hesitate to build their roster around Pickens. With the second overall pick, the Texas Volts countered by selecting Texas Tech's standout pitcher NiJaree Canady, setting up what promises to be an electrifying rivalry for years to come. The Blaze also added firepower behind the plate, snatching Texas catcher Reese Atwood with the seventh overall pick.
Pickens' résumé reads like a highlight reel. The 6-foot-1 Weaverville, North Carolina native has been named SEC Pitcher of the Year for two consecutive seasons and is currently crafting another masterpiece. She ranks eighth nationally in ERA (1.44) and leads the country in hits allowed per seven innings (3.06)—numbers that have opposing hitters shaking their heads. Her five saves this season are tied for the SEC lead, and perhaps most remarkably, she hasn't surrendered a single home run in 112 innings of work.
But what truly sets Pickens apart is her arm. During last year's Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament, she shattered her own record by unleashing a pitch clocked at 79.4 miles per hour—the fastest pitch ever recorded in Division I college softball history. Most recently, she fanned 11 Alabama batters to deliver a statement win over the Lady Vols' bitter rival, proving she rises to the occasion when the stakes are highest.
The AUSL is entering its second full season with a bold new format, transitioning from a touring model to a city-based league featuring six teams. Alongside the Carolina Blaze, fans can look forward to the Chicago Bandits (Rosemont, Illinois), Utah Talons (Salt Lake City, Utah), Portland Cascade (Hillsboro, Oregon), Texas Volts (Round Rock, Texas), and Oklahoma City Spark. The season fires up on June 9, with ESPN broadcasting 50 exclusive games, including the championship series—giving softball fans nationwide a front-row seat to the next chapter of Pickens' incredible journey.