Latest news with #Klingler
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two former Washington Huskies named to AUSL All-Defensive team
Two former Huskies have won end-of-season honors in the inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. Outfielder Jadelyn Allchin and utility player Baylee Klingler were named to the All-Defense team on Wednesday as two of the ten honorees. Allchin was one of five Talons players named to the list, including Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Flippen. Klingler was one of three Blaze players to make the team. Allchin, who completed her college career at UCLA in 2024 after four seasons at Washington, recorded 37 putouts with a fielding percentage of .974 while mostly playing left field for the 18-6 Talons. Klingler, who started all 197 games of her Huskies career from 2020-23 after transferring from Texas A&M, had 37 putouts and recorded 4 double plays with a fielding percentage of .957 while primarily playing third base for the 7-17 Blaze. The two have had very different paths to the field this season. Klingler was drafted as a core player in the eighth round by the Blaze in January and recorded two home runs in her first six games to start the year, but hit a bit of a slump in mid-June associated with a head injury that she recovered from during the midseason break. When the Blaze returned for a sold-out series between Huskies alums Klingler and Sis Bates of the Volts starting July 11, Klingler snapped her cold streak, recording an RBI in all three games on Montlake. She finished with a .357/.392/.571 slash line in 20 games with 6 doubles and 3 home runs. Allchin, meanwhile, began the season in the Reserve Athlete Pool as one of the on-call fill-ins for the 16 standard roster spots for the league's four teams. She was assigned to the Talons on May 22 to fill in for other players arriving late for the season, but stuck around as an injury replacement for a variety of players. Allchin opened the season with a six-game hitting streak, finishing the year with the third-highest on-base percentage in the league and a league-leading 8 stolen bases without being caught a single time. Even so, Allchin spent three days back in the Reserve Athlete Pool last week between appearances for the Talons as their core 16 members were all available from July 16-19. Now, after a winding season for both women, they've earned league-wide honors. The AUSL Championship series begins Saturday between Allchin's Talons, who also roster Husky alum Ali Aguilar and the Bandits, the only team in the league without a former Washington player.
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Baylee Klingler, Blaze, win first AUSL series with 10-2 barrage on Sis Bates, Volts
Former Washington Huskies stars Baylee Klingler and Sis Bates wrapped up a three-game series at Husky Softball Stadium on Sunday afternoon as part of the inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, with the Klingler-led Blaze taking the series 2-1 behind a 10-2 win over the Bates-led Volts in the rubber match. Duke product Ana Gold led the offensive onslaught for the Blaze, going 3-for-3 with a walk and 4 runs batted in on the day. She blasted a solo home run in the second inning, one of three homers for the Blaze on the day, and added an RBI single in the sixth inning, along with a two-run single in the seventh. Klingler was an integral part of the Blaze's offense, reaching base twice. She poked an RBI double down the right field line in the sixth inning, and walked and scored a run in the seventh as her team won its first series of the season. In the series, Klingler, who was a three-time All-American during her career on Montlake, went 5-for-11 with a walk, 3 doubles, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs scored, continuing her long tradition of spraying the ball all over the diamond in Seattle. On the other side, Bates had a quiet day at the plate as she went 0-for-2 with a walk. Over the weekend, the three-time All-American and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year went 3-for-9, collecting all three of her hits during the Volts' only win of the weekend on Friday. Next up, Bates and the Volts will travel to Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas, for a four-game series against the Bandits, while Klingler and the Blaze are off to Dumke Family Softball Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, for four games against the Talons.
San Francisco Chronicle
11-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Athletes Unlimited Softball League pleased with progress a month into inaugural season
SEATTLE (AP) — When Kim Ng was named commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League back in April, she knew full well there would be growing pains with getting a pro softball league off the ground for its inaugural season. A month removed from its inception, though, each of the AUSL's four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts — have played games in cities like Wichita, Kansas, and Rosemont, Illinois. As much as players have found themselves on the receiving end of ample support at these contests, so, too, have those working them, Ng said. 'We've had staffers approached by people walking the concourse, people at the games who have given them hugs because they are just so ecstatic to see this league come to fruition,' Ng told The Associated Press. 'I think everyone in softball has been waiting for a league like this for a long time, and I think they're happy to see it getting the platform it deserves.' AUSL has accumulated over 335,000 followers on social media, as well as receiving more than 33 million views on its videos. The league has sold out nine of its 28 games so far. The barnstorming format of the AUSL — which, with Major League Baseball's continued financial support, will turn into a city-based operation beginning in 2026 — has allowed the league to both meet fans where they are at and see which towns might be good long-term fits. Seattle and Omaha, Nebraska, will host three games this weekend. The visit to Seattle will be a homecoming of sorts for Baylee Klingler of the Blaze. Klingler was an all-conference infielder for the University of Washington, and has played for a couple other pro softball leagues. She considers it quite the privilege to play in the AUSL. 'The goal was always college and playing for Team USA,' Klingler said of her childhood. 'And now that we have the opportunity to train for a major league environment, I think it's so huge, and it's only going to make softball better. I think it's amazing.' Klingler didn't have any pro softball player role models she could look up to as a kid. To be one for the next generation of softball players is something she takes great pride in. She has already regularly felt plenty of love after a month of contests. 'Every game has been packed, and the amount of little girls who are there cheering us on — it's cool to know at the very least they know that professional softball's a thing,' Klingler said. Of course, the upstart league hasn't been without its challenges. As Ng noted, ramping up the AUSL from a one-market to a 12-market operation has required clear communication from all involved to overcome some of the 'high-class' problems involved with the new venture. Ng said there's going to be 'some oversights at times' with a project of this size. 'But, nothing that we couldn't overcome," she said. Ahead of the league expansion, the AUSL has marketed itself in host cities in myriad ways. Little League tournaments have provided frequent stopping points, as have trips to local college and university softball events. The AUSL's ticket sales staff has also reached out to all of the local softball league teams. From Ng's perspective, this 'methodical' approach has paid dividends. As for where the AUSL goes from here, the hope is that expanding to a city-based operation turns out to be a wise decision. The league, after all, is still in its infancy. But from Klingler's standpoint, the time is 'now' for the AUSL. And who could blame her for such a sentiment, considering the countless fans who have already made her feel so appreciated. 'I'm super excited. I have high hopes that in four or five years, this is going to blow up into a different entity than it is now,' Klingler said. 'So, the more people we get on board now, the better. But yeah, I'm super stoked and excited to be a part of it.'
Hamilton Spectator
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Athletes Unlimited Softball League pleased with progress a month into inaugural season
SEATTLE (AP) — When Kim Ng was named commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League back in April, she knew full well there would be growing pains with getting a pro softball league off the ground for its inaugural season. A month removed from its inception, though, each of the AUSL's four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts — have played games in cities like Wichita, Kansas, and Rosemont, Illinois. As much as players have found themselves on the receiving end of ample support at these contests, so, too, have those working them, Ng said. 'We've had staffers approached by people walking the concourse, people at the games who have given them hugs because they are just so ecstatic to see this league come to fruition,' Ng told The Associated Press. 'I think everyone in softball has been waiting for a league like this for a long time, and I think they're happy to see it getting the platform it deserves.' AUSL has accumulated over 335,000 followers on social media, as well as receiving more than 33 million views on its videos. The league has sold out nine of its 28 games so far. The barnstorming format of the AUSL — which, with Major League Baseball's continued financial support , will turn into a city-based operation beginning in 2026 — has allowed the league to both meet fans where they are at and see which towns might be good long-term fits. Seattle and Omaha, Nebraska, will host three games this weekend. The visit to Seattle will be a homecoming of sorts for Baylee Klingler of the Blaze. Klingler was an all-conference infielder for the University of Washington, and has played for a couple other pro softball leagues. She considers it quite the privilege to play in the AUSL. 'The goal was always college and playing for Team USA,' Klingler said of her childhood. 'And now that we have the opportunity to train for a major league environment, I think it's so huge, and it's only going to make softball better. I think it's amazing.' Klingler didn't have any pro softball player role models she could look up to as a kid. To be one for the next generation of softball players is something she takes great pride in. She has already regularly felt plenty of love after a month of contests. 'Every game has been packed, and the amount of little girls who are there cheering us on — it's cool to know at the very least they know that professional softball's a thing,' Klingler said. Of course, the upstart league hasn't been without its challenges. As Ng noted, ramping up the AUSL from a one-market to a 12-market operation has required clear communication from all involved to overcome some of the 'high-class' problems involved with the new venture. Ng said there's going to be 'some oversights at times' with a project of this size. 'But, nothing that we couldn't overcome,' she said. Ahead of the league expansion, the AUSL has marketed itself in host cities in myriad ways. Little League tournaments have provided frequent stopping points, as have trips to local college and university softball events. The AUSL's ticket sales staff has also reached out to all of the local softball league teams. From Ng's perspective, this 'methodical' approach has paid dividends. As for where the AUSL goes from here, the hope is that expanding to a city-based operation turns out to be a wise decision. The league, after all, is still in its infancy. But from Klingler's standpoint, the time is 'now' for the AUSL. And who could blame her for such a sentiment, considering the countless fans who have already made her feel so appreciated. 'I'm super excited. I have high hopes that in four or five years, this is going to blow up into a different entity than it is now,' Klingler said. 'So, the more people we get on board now, the better. But yeah, I'm super stoked and excited to be a part of it.' ___ AP Softball: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Athletes Unlimited Softball League pleased with progress a month into inaugural season
SEATTLE (AP) — When Kim Ng was named commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League back in April, she knew full well there would be growing pains with getting a pro softball league off the ground for its inaugural season. A month removed from its inception, though, each of the AUSL's four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts — have played games in cities like Wichita, Kansas, and Rosemont, Illinois. As much as players have found themselves on the receiving end of ample support at these contests, so, too, have those working them, Ng said. 'We've had staffers approached by people walking the concourse, people at the games who have given them hugs because they are just so ecstatic to see this league come to fruition,' Ng told The Associated Press. 'I think everyone in softball has been waiting for a league like this for a long time, and I think they're happy to see it getting the platform it deserves.' AUSL has accumulated over 335,000 followers on social media, as well as receiving more than 33 million views on its videos. The league has sold out nine of its 28 games so far. The barnstorming format of the AUSL — which, with Major League Baseball's continued financial support, will turn into a city-based operation beginning in 2026 — has allowed the league to both meet fans where they are at and see which towns might be good long-term fits. Seattle and Omaha, Nebraska, will host three games this weekend. The visit to Seattle will be a homecoming of sorts for Baylee Klingler of the Blaze. Klingler was an all-conference infielder for the University of Washington, and has played for a couple other pro softball leagues. She considers it quite the privilege to play in the AUSL. 'The goal was always college and playing for Team USA,' Klingler said of her childhood. 'And now that we have the opportunity to train for a major league environment, I think it's so huge, and it's only going to make softball better. I think it's amazing.' Klingler didn't have any pro softball player role models she could look up to as a kid. To be one for the next generation of softball players is something she takes great pride in. She has already regularly felt plenty of love after a month of contests. 'Every game has been packed, and the amount of little girls who are there cheering us on — it's cool to know at the very least they know that professional softball's a thing,' Klingler said. Of course, the upstart league hasn't been without its challenges. As Ng noted, ramping up the AUSL from a one-market to a 12-market operation has required clear communication from all involved to overcome some of the 'high-class' problems involved with the new venture. Ng said there's going to be 'some oversights at times' with a project of this size. 'But, nothing that we couldn't overcome,' she said. Ahead of the league expansion, the AUSL has marketed itself in host cities in myriad ways. Little League tournaments have provided frequent stopping points, as have trips to local college and university softball events. The AUSL's ticket sales staff has also reached out to all of the local softball league teams. From Ng's perspective, this 'methodical' approach has paid dividends. As for where the AUSL goes from here, the hope is that expanding to a city-based operation turns out to be a wise decision. The league, after all, is still in its infancy. But from Klingler's standpoint, the time is 'now' for the AUSL. And who could blame her for such a sentiment, considering the countless fans who have already made her feel so appreciated. 'I'm super excited. I have high hopes that in four or five years, this is going to blow up into a different entity than it is now,' Klingler said. 'So, the more people we get on board now, the better. But yeah, I'm super stoked and excited to be a part of it.' ___ AP Softball:
