The Oklahoma Sooners are sending yet another star to the professional ranks, and this time it's a Gold Glove talent heading to the Windy City. Ailana Agbayani, the standout middle infielder for OU softball, has been selected by the Chicago Bandits with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 AUSL Draft—the first pick of the third round.

Agbayani has been a defensive anchor for the Sooners, earning a 2025 Gold Glove award for her work in the middle infield and an All-SEC defensive team nod last season. But her value isn't limited to her glove. In Patty Gasso's lineup, she's become a force at the plate, boosting her batting average from .314 in her debut 2025 season to an impressive .385 this year. Her power numbers have climbed too, with more home runs, a higher on-base percentage, and fewer strikeouts—a testament to her growing confidence and skill.

Agbayani joins a deep Sooners pipeline to the AUSL—Oklahoma is the most-represented school in the league with 12 players. In Chicago, she'll team up with OU legend Jocelyn Alo and former Sooner-turned-Florida Gator Jocelyn Erickson, forming a formidable trio for the Bandits this season.

From defensive wizardry to offensive firepower, Agbayani is ready to make her mark at the next level. For Sooners fans and softball enthusiasts alike, this is a name to watch in 2026.