After a successful inaugural campaign in 2020, Athletes Unlimited returns on August 28th for Softball Season #2.
Softball was the first sport that played under the unique, points-based AU format, and the group has fielded professional volleyball and lacrosse leagues in the months since.
But AU now returns their focus to the diamond.
On Tuesday night, Athletes Unlimited held their first draft of the 2021 season. Under the AU format, players are re-drafted on a weekly basis during the league season. The top four players in the league point standings serve as team captains and make selections in the draft.
To start AU Season 2, the first week team captains are the top four finishers from Season 1: Cat Osterman, Jessie Warren, Victoria Hayward, and Erika Piancastelli.
Here’s a look at each of the teams and rosters…
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Team Piancastelli
Piancastelli held the first overall pick in the snake-style draft, and she selected pitcher Sara Groenewegen. Groenewegen was initially slated to participate in the 2020 AU season, but ultimately opted out to continue uninterrupted training for the Olympic Games, where she pitched for Team Canada.
To round out the opening round, Hayward selected pitcher Haylie Wagner; Warren picked outfielder Amanda Lorenz; and Osterman chose outfielder Haylie McCleney. Lorenz joined Groenewegen as league rookies to be selected in the opening round.
As the draft wore on, some definite trends became evident.
For instance, Piancastelli’s roster took on a very international feel. By the end of the draft, the squad included current and former representatives of six international programs.
In addition to Olympic nations Italy (via Piancastelli herself), Canada, Mexico, and the US, former stars for the Dutch and Puerto Rican national teams also are part of Team Piancastelli’s week one roster.
| Athlete | Position |
| Taran Alvelo | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Ciara Bryan | Outfield |
| Caleigh Clifton | Infield |
| Carrie Eberle | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Taylor Edwards | Catcher |
| Sam Fischer | Infield |
| Courtney Gano | Infield |
| Sara Groenewegen | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Kelsey Harshman | Infield |
| Erika Piancastelli | Catcher |
| Janie Reed | Outfield |
| Riley Sartain | Infield |
| Samantha Show | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Britt Vonk | Infield |
| Megan Wiggins | Outfield |
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Team Hayward
For Hayward’s part, Team Blue took on a very Pac-12 feel. A Washington alumnus herself, Hayward chose alumni of four additional Pac programs and just six members of her 15-member roster are not Pac-12 alumni. Hayward also picked her fellow Washington alumni Ali Aguilar and Sis Bates – each of them middle infielders – for her team.
If you became familiar with the Mexican national team roster during the Tokyo Olympics, then several names on Team Warren are going to look familiar.
| Athlete | Position |
| Ali Aguilar | Infield |
| Sis Bates | Infield |
| Alyssa Denham | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Amber Fiser | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Hannah Flippen | Infield |
| Victoria Hayward | Outfield |
| Morgan Howe | Outfield |
| Katiyana Mauga | Infield |
| Aleshia Ocasio | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Jordan Roberts | Catcher |
| DJ Sanders | Infield |
| Gwen Svekis | Catcher |
| Nadia Taylor | Infield |
| Haylie Wagner | Left-Handed Pitcher |
| Morgan Zerkle | Outfield |
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Team Warren
Warren chose six players who suited up for Team Mexico, including two pitchers, a catcher, and three infielders. Former Arizona teammates Danielle O’Toole and Taylor McQuillin will reunite on Warren’s Orange team in week 1, while engaged couple Amanda Chidester and Anissa Urtez will team up to start the AU season.
| Athlete | Position |
| Jessica Burroughs | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Amanda Chidester | Catcher |
| Jessie Harper | Infield |
| Jazmyn Jackson | Outfield |
| Amanda Lorenz | Outfield |
| Taylor McQuillin | Left-Handed Pitcher |
| Aubree Munro | Catcher |
| Danielle O’Toole | Left-Handed Pitcher |
| Sashel Palacios | Catcher |
| Sydney Romero | Shortstop |
| Amanda Sanchez | Infield |
| Gina Snyder | Pitcher |
| Anissa Urtez | Infield |
| Jessica Warren | Infield |
| Kayla Wedl | Outfield |
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Team Osterman
Osterman’s roster had fewer major trends, but her selections did create some milder storylines. For instance, recent college graduates and viral sensations Aliyah Andrews and Odicci Alexander will both suit up for Osterman’s gold team in week 1, as will Osterman’s fellow Team USA Olympians Haylie McCleney, Dejah Mulipola, and Michelle Moultrie.
| Athlete | Position |
| Odicci Alexander | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Aliyah Andrews | Outfield |
| Sahvanna Jaquish | Catcher |
| Haylie McCleney | Outfield |
| Michelle Moultrie | Outfield |
| Dejah Mulipola | Catcher |
| Nicole Newman | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Cat Osterman | Left-Handed Pitcher |
| Shelby Pendley | Infield |
| Lilli Piper | Infield |
| Abby Ramirez | Infield |
| Randi Rupp | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Kelsey Stewart | Infield |
| Tori Vidales | Infield |
| Sami Williams | Infield |
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The final round of the week one draft was auto-drafted to fill the appropriate position groups on each roster. Rookie infielder Sami Williams joined Team Osterman, while veteran catcher Aubree Munro went to Team Warren after lasting to the final round.
Former Arizona slugger Katiyana Mauga was the final member of Team Hayward, while recent graduate and reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year Ciara Bryan earned the 60th and final roster spot as a member of Team Piancastelli.
Opening games of the 2021 Athletes Unlimited season will take place on Saturday; the opening weekend of games (played Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) will be aired on a variety of channels and platforms, including Youtube, FS1, and CBS Sports Network.
— Justin McLeod, Extra Inning Softball correspondent
