Lexi Kilfoyl will carry her success at Oklahoma State to the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League, where she will pitch for the Bandits. AP Photo/Brandon Wade Meanwhile, some selections were familiar for rivalry reasons.”I’m super excited to see how it’s going to progress forward, because I think we’re in very good hands. I think this is […]
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Lexi Kilfoyl will carry her success at Oklahoma State to the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League, where she will pitch for the Bandits. AP Photo/Brandon Wade Meanwhile, some selections were familiar for rivalry reasons.”I’m super excited to see how it’s going to progress forward, because I think we’re in very good hands. I think this is the first step in the right direction,” Kilfoyl said. “It’s even more exciting knowing that my family can travel to come see me play in the States instead of having to travel overseas. So, it’s definitely really special.”Of the 48 players drafted, 14 are pitchers. Four catchers, 16 infielders, 11 outfielders and three utility players also were picked.Editor’s Picks
The AUSL stated it offers unprecedented benefits to softball players, including year-round health insurance, mental health services, paid leave for pregnancy or adoption and in-season childcare.”In this sport, pitching is huge. Pitching and defense win championships, and that hasn’t changed in the history of the game,” Bandits coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz said. “The offenses are too good. The hitters are too good. You’ve got to have dominant pitching; you’ve got to have different looks to face different parts of the lineup.”Osterman, a Texas Longhorns legend, picked one of the icons of Oklahoma’s dynasty in four-time national champion outfielder Tiare Jennings. Fernandez also selected Alabama star Montana Fouts, who threw a perfect game against UCLA while Fernandez was coaching for the Bruins in the 2021 Women’s College World Series.Beginning with former Oklahoma State star Lexi Kilfoyl going first to the Bandits, seven of the league’s initial eight picks were pitchers, perhaps not surprising given the depth of talent available.
