A familiar name in Kansas softball made waves on the national stage Monday night. NiJaree Canady, a Topeka High School alum and current Texas Tech star, was selected second overall in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Draft. The Texas Volts scooped up the talented pitcher, with only Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens going ahead of her.

Canady's journey to the pros is a story of pure dominance. At Topeka High, she was a two-sport sensation, excelling in both softball and basketball. She led the Trojans to their first two state softball championships as a junior and senior, earning Kansas Softball Gatorade Player of the Year honors both seasons. That level of excellence didn't stop when she stepped onto a college field.

After a standout career at Stanford, Canady transferred to Texas Tech, where she's been nothing short of sensational. This season, she's posted a stellar 21-4 record with a microscopic 1.30 ERA. Her 194 strikeouts against just 39 walks in 135 innings pitched show a pitcher in complete control. Earlier this year, AUSL commissioner Kim Ng recognized that talent by awarding Canady one of just 17 "Golden Tickets" into the draft—a nod to her elite status in the sport.

For softball fans, the excitement is just beginning. The AUSL season kicks off June 9, with each team playing 25 regular-season games before the championship showdown on July 25. Canady's selection is a proud moment for Topeka and a sign that the future of professional softball is brighter than ever.