Utah Talons Secure Second Straight AUSL Title in Series Sweep

It’s championship weekend here in College Station. The sun is blazing, and the stands are packed for the second-ever Athletes Unlimited Softball League championship series.

This season sent the Chicago Bandits and the Utah Talons to the ‘ship for the second year in a row. Last season, the Talons swept in two straight games, and they looked to do it again.

The Talons took Game 1 on Saturday by a score of 2-1, with a complete game from Georgina Corrick in the circle. Corrick allowed just four hits and one run while collecting five strikeouts.

The Talons’ offense only plated two runs, but it was enough to secure the win. An RBI single from Sharlize Palacios scored the first run in the first inning. It was quiet through five until a sacrifice fly from Sahvanna Jaquish gave the Talons the final run they needed to win.

With an opportunity to sweep, the Talons brought their A-game back to Davis Diamond. They did exactly that, claiming the crown with a near-flawless 6-1 victory.

“The first time I met [the team] in March, I asked them what their mission was, and they said to repeat,” said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. The team reached its goal, securing back-to-back titles.

The Game 2 Story

AUSL 2026 Pitcher of the Year Montana Fouts earned the start in the circle and tossed seven impeccable innings. The ace allowed just one run on eight hits while walking one and collecting four strikeouts.

“I could not be more grateful for this group,” said Fouts. “I’m very proud of the way I felt when I looked and saw [my teammates]. I look at them and have genuine love… It was for them. I’m very grateful I got that opportunity.”

The Talons struck early after left fielder Jadelyn Allchin launched a two-run homer over the right-field fence. She scored herself and Jayda Coleman after her leadoff single. A base hit and a walk followed from Jordan Woolery and Sharlize Palacios, but they were left stranded. The Talons exited the top of the inning up 2-0.

Hits fell here and there, but neither team managed to plate a run in the ensuing innings. The Talons finally opened things up again in the top of the fourth.

An error from Bandits third baseman Sami Williams allowed Hannah Flippen to score after she tried to force the out at second. This extended the Talons’ lead to 3-0 and placed Aliyah Andrews on second base. A following double from Allchin scored Andrews to tack on another run and claim a 4-0 lead.

The Talons weren’t done yet. Bri Ellis, 2026 Comeback Player of the Year, launched a solo shot 254 feet over the left field scoreboard and increased the lead to 5-0. Shortly after, Sahvanna Jaquish did the same with a four-bagger off the top of the scoreboard.

The Bandits attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh after rallying a couple of hits to inevitably score pinch runner Keirsten Roose, but the sole run couldn’t touch the Talons’ explosive and consistent offense.

After retiring Morgan Zerkle with a groundout to shortstop, the Talons secured the Game 2 win and accepted their second consecutive crown.

“We came out and we hit today. That’s the difference between this year and last year,” said Ellis. “When we’re playing the Bandits it’s always a pitchers duel. We’re trying to get the monkey off our pitcher’s back and give them a break.”

The Talons did just that, totaling 10 hits to post six runs. In previous matchups this season, games between these two teams were close, with the winner coming by a margin of one or two runs. Today, the Talons broke it open, and that’s what handed them the win.

A Nod to the MVP

Left fielder Jadelyn Allchin was tabbed Championship Series MVP after securing three of the Talons’ four RBIs with her two-run homer and RBI double. She added a dazzling diving catch in the third inning to seal the deal and earn the trophy.

Allchin played with the Talons last season as a reserve player, and now she gets to be a full part of the winning team. She said, “I don’t think I ever left the Talons, which is my favorite feeling. Being on the other side this year, all props to [the team], they still have the same belief in me.”

Bigger Than the Game

With major jumps in viewership, engagement, and revenue, this was an incredible season for the league. The growth of professional softball means so much to the players and fans.

“The game in Portland against the Bandits… I’ve never been in a stadium that loud. For that to be a pro softball game, I think says everything you need to know about where we’re at and where we’re going,” Hannah Flippen told Just Baseball.

“I’m so excited to just continue to grow and to play in stadiums like this all over the country and keep filling them up,” Flippen added.

A Well-Deserved Congradulations

The Talons’ display of next-level pitching, earth-shattering offense, and incredible commitment to each other is writing the history books in their favor.

With two titles under their belts, we may be witnessing the rise of a dynasty in the AUSL.