The NCAA softball season is nearing its end, with conference tournaments in early May and 31 automatic bids for the NCAA Tournament. Key players, including Nijaree Canady from Texas Tech, are receiving golden tickets for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League draft on May 4.
Key points
NCAA softball season is nearing its end
Conference tournaments will be held in early May
64 teams will qualify for the NCAA Tournament
Golden tickets are awarded to top college players
Draft for Athletes Unlimited Softball League is on May 4
Nijaree CanadyTexas TechTexasAthletes Unlimited Softball League
The NCAA softball season is hitting the homestretch. Conference tournaments will be held in early May with 31 automatic bids the NCAA Tournament at stake. Similar to basketball, 64 teams will qualify for the tournament, which culminates with the Women's College World Series, which begins May 29 in Oklahoma City.So who are the players and teams to keep on our radar heading into the tournament? The Athletes Unlimited Softball League has given us a pretty good idea by handing out golden tickets â delivered by softball legends or AUSL league leadership in front of teammates, coaches and family members â to the best college players, soon to be pros, in the country. Getting a ticket means the athlete will be drafted to AUSL on May 4 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Fifteen golden tickets have been handed out so far, all but two of the players are on teams ranked in the top 25. Here are the athletes who have received them:
Nijaree Canady, Texas Tech, pitcher
This should come as zero surprise, given Nijaree Canady has an name image and likeness deal for $1.2 million and quickly became the face of college softball during last season's Women's College World Series. The 6-foot pitcher transferred from Stanford to Texas Tech in 2025. She has a 17-3 record this year with 1.40 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 110 inning pitched. She has struck out 156 of the 382 batters she has faced in 2026.
Reese Atwood, Texas, catcher
Reese Atwood has been rewriting the Longhorns' record books since she arrived in Austin. Sheâs known for her power as a hitter and leadership as a catcher. She holds Texas school records for career home runs (70), RBIs (270) and slugging percentage (.758).
Leighann Goode, Texas, infielder
Known for her speed and consistency at the plate, Leighann Goode is hitting .400 this season through 38 games. She usually bats second and is able to get on base for players like Reese Atwood to bring her in. Goode plays both second base and shortstop and has a .966 career fielding percentage with 299 putouts.
Sydney Stewart, Arizona, catcher
Sydney Stewart has elite plate discipline with 131 career walks in 461 plate appearances. She has 36 of her 43 homers in the past two seasons and has notched 160 career RBIs. Stewart is also a strong defensive presence behind the plate. She received her golden ticket from Arizona legend Jennie Finch.
Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee, pitcher
Karlyn Pickens is known for her elite velocity and backâtoâback SEC Pitcher of the Year honors. She a 1.47 career ERA and 755 career strikeouts. Pickens holds the record for the fastest pitch in NCAA softball history â 79.4 mph on May 25, 2025 â during super regionals.
Q&A
What are the key dates for the NCAA softball tournament in 2023?
The NCAA softball tournament will have its conference tournaments in early May, with the Women's College World Series starting on May 29.
Who are the top players to watch in NCAA softball this season?
Nijaree Canady from Texas Tech is a standout player, alongside others who have received golden tickets for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
What does receiving a golden ticket mean for NCAA softball players?
Receiving a golden ticket signifies that the player will be drafted into the Athletes Unlimited Softball League on May 4.
How many teams qualify for the NCAA softball tournament?
A total of 64 teams will qualify for the NCAA softball tournament.
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Dakota Kennedy, Arkansas, outfielder
Kennedy transferred to Arkansas from Arizona for her senior season. She has a .393 career batting average with a .497 onâbase percentage and .700 slugging percentage. Kennedy has 112 career walks compared 76 strikeouts. One of the best defensive outfielders in college softball, she won the 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 111 putouts.
Kenzie Brown, Arizona State, pitcher
Kenzie Brown transferred from Tulsa as a sophomore and was an All-American last season. She has a career record of 30â19 with a 2.66 ERA in 45 starts including 21 complete games. She has improved her efficiency this season with less walks.
Taryn Kern, Stanford, infielder
Taryn Kern has a rare combination of power, onâbase skills and defensive versatility. She played her freshman season at Indiana and won Big Ten Player of the Year before transferring to Stanford. Kern has 17 homers and 61 RBIs this season with a .968 slugging percentage, which would be a school record if it holds.
Maya Johnson, Belmont, pitcher
The first mid-major player to receive a golden ticket from the AUSL, Maya Johnson has a .073 ERA and 22-2 record this season with the Bulldogs. She has 304 strikeouts this season, facing 599 batters. Johnson had a perfect game against Missouri State to open the season.
Jocelyn Erickson, Florida, catcher
Jocelyn Erickson is a leftâhanded hitter with power. She had a .997 fielding percentage in 2025 with one error in 315 chances. Erickson is having the best offensive season of her career with a .424 batting average and .901 slugging percentage.
Kenleigh Cahalan, Florida, infielder
Kenleigh Cahalan is a leftâhanded hitting infielder who began her career at Alabama, where she started every game as a freshman and sophomore. She has played shortstop, third base and second base. Cahalan has a career .960 fielding average.
Jordan Woolery, UCLA, infielder
Jordan Woolery has started every game of her college career â 226 and counting â and a cornerstone of UCLAâs offense and infield. She's hitting .529 this season with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs this season. Woolery has a .993 fielding average in 2026 with two errors.
Megan Grant, UCLA, utility
Megan Grant is having her best offensive season, hitting .478 with 31 home runs, 70 RBIs and 1.339 slugging percentage, which leads the Bruins. She has a career slugging percentage of .727 and career fielding percentage of .978.
Taylor Tinsley, UCLA, pitcher
Taylor Tinsley has a career ERA of 2.22 with 77 starts, 40 complete games and 13 shutouts. She has a 23-3 record this season as the Bruins' ace. Tinsley has 488 strike outs and 114 walks. She has a highâspin fastball and strong vertical movement.
Amari Harper, Oregon, utility
Amari Harper is a leftâhanded hitting utility player who transferred from Texas A&M to Oregon for her senior season. She has a career batting average of .367 with an OPS of 1.048 thanks in part to 41 HBP and 71 walks.
