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The Blaze

The Blaze is one of four inaugural teams in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) – a professional softball league in the United States.

Our Team

The unapologetic speed that fuels this team is fire. The Blaze softball team is bold, strong, and sizzles. They are iconically fast and bring heat to the field.

Blaze Logo Breakdown

Our Mark

The Blaze logo is modern and refined, with typography that leans forward to evoke motion and progress -- for the sport, for the athletes and for our fans.

BLAZE STAFF

  • Dana Sorensen

    General Manager

    Dana Sorensen

    General Manager

    A former Stanford pitching standout, Dana Sorensen was a three-time NFCA All-American who played in two College Softball World Series and was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame. While competing in the NPF, she pursued her Master’ Degree in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Sorensen went on to spend three seasons as an assistant coach and Physical Education Instructor at UC Davis in addition to two years as an assistant softball coach at Oregon State. More recently, she returned to her hometown of San Diego to pursue her passion of training and human performance, eventually opening her own pitching instruction and sports performance training business, Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC. In addition to running Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC, Sorensen currently also works alongside Nate Walker and Diamond Solutions to provide pitching data and analytics strategies for collegiate softball programs. A former Stanford pitching standout, Dana Sorensen was a three-time NFCA All-American who played in two College Softball World Series and was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame. While competing in the NPF, she pursued her Master’ Degree in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Sorensen went on to spend three seasons as an assistant coach and Physical Education Instructor at UC Davis in addition to two years as an assistant softball coach at Oregon State. More recently, she returned to her hometown of San Diego to pursue her passion of training and human performance, eventually opening her own pitching instruction and sports performance training business, Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC. In addition to running Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC, Sorensen currently also works alongside Nate Walker and Diamond Solutions to provide pitching data and analytics strategies for collegiate softball programs. A former Stanford pitching standout, Dana Sorensen was a three-time NFCA All-American who played in two College Softball World Series and was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame. While competing in the NPF, she pursued her Master’ Degree in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Sorensen went on to spend three seasons as an assistant coach and Physical Education Instructor at UC Davis in addition to two years as an assistant softball coach at Oregon State. More recently, she returned to her hometown of San Diego to pursue her passion of training and human performance, eventually opening her own pitching instruction and sports performance training business, Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC. In addition to running Sorensen Elite Softball Pitching LLC, Sorensen currently also works alongside Nate Walker and Diamond Solutions to provide pitching data and analytics strategies for collegiate softball programs.

  • Alisa Goler

    Head Coach

    Alisa Goler

    Head Coach

    Entering her fifth season as head softball coach at Western Illinois University, Alisa Goler previously was part of the coaching staff at Penn State, Syracuse, and Roosevelt University in addition to a seven-year competitive career in the NPF, where she was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 and earned two All-NPF Team commendations. A three-time All-American at the University of Georgia, Goler participated in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Women’s College World Series, while setting UGA single-season records for batting average (.455), slugging percentage (.994), on-base percentage (.551), home runs (24), extra-base hits (41), RBI (83), and total bases (164). Goler worked with the USA Elite team this summer, which competed in the Japan Cup Series, and with the USA 18U Junior National Team, which qualified for the 2025 WBSC World Cup.Entering her fifth season as head softball coach at Western Illinois University, Alisa Goler previously was part of the coaching staff at Penn State, Syracuse, and Roosevelt University in addition to a seven-year competitive career in the NPF, where she was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 and earned two All-NPF Team commendations. A three-time All-American at the University of Georgia, Goler participated in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Women’s College World Series, while setting UGA single-season records for batting average (.455), slugging percentage (.994), on-base percentage (.551), home runs (24), extra-base hits (41), RBI (83), and total bases (164). Goler worked with the USA Elite team this summer, which competed in the Japan Cup Series, and with the USA 18U Junior National Team, which qualified for the 2025 WBSC World Cup.Entering her fifth season as head softball coach at Western Illinois University, Alisa Goler previously was part of the coaching staff at Penn State, Syracuse, and Roosevelt University in addition to a seven-year competitive career in the NPF, where she was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 and earned two All-NPF Team commendations. A three-time All-American at the University of Georgia, Goler participated in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Women’s College World Series, while setting UGA single-season records for batting average (.455), slugging percentage (.994), on-base percentage (.551), home runs (24), extra-base hits (41), RBI (83), and total bases (164). Goler worked with the USA Elite team this summer, which competed in the Japan Cup Series, and with the USA 18U Junior National Team, which qualified for the 2025 WBSC World Cup.

  • Kara Dill

    Associate Head Coach

    Kara Dill

    Associate Head Coach

    Kara Dill has been the head coach of the UT Arlington softball program since July 2022. She most recently led UTA to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, with an overall record of 23-24 and a 14-11 record in conference action. She spent six seasons as the pitching coach for Texas A&M and previously coached at Kentucky and LSU. She also has professional experience as the assistant coach with the Scrapyard Dawgs in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League in 2016. Dill was an All-SEC player at Kentucky.Kara Dill has been the head coach of the UT Arlington softball program since July 2022. She most recently led UTA to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, with an overall record of 23-24 and a 14-11 record in conference action. She spent six seasons as the pitching coach for Texas A&M and previously coached at Kentucky and LSU. She also has professional experience as the assistant coach with the Scrapyard Dawgs in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League in 2016. Dill was an All-SEC player at Kentucky.Kara Dill has been the head coach of the UT Arlington softball program since July 2022. She most recently led UTA to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, with an overall record of 23-24 and a 14-11 record in conference action. She spent six seasons as the pitching coach for Texas A&M and previously coached at Kentucky and LSU. She also has professional experience as the assistant coach with the Scrapyard Dawgs in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League in 2016. Dill was an All-SEC player at Kentucky.

  • Sue Kunkle

    Assistant Coach

    Sue Kunkle

    Assistant Coach

    Sue Kunkle is the longtime head coach of the University of Southern Indiana Softball team. The 2025 season is Kunkle’s 24th year leading the program, coaching the Screaming Eagles to the 2018 NCAA II National Championship crown. A three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Kunkle guided the team to the NCAA II Tournament for five straight years. She is USI’s all-time winningest coach, possessing a 674-465-1 (.592) overall record entering 2025. The Screaming Eagles seamlessly transitioned from DII to DI in 2023 and have accrued 46 wins through their first two seasons in Division I and the Ohio Valley Conference under her direction.Sue Kunkle is the longtime head coach of the University of Southern Indiana Softball team. The 2025 season is Kunkle’s 24th year leading the program, coaching the Screaming Eagles to the 2018 NCAA II National Championship crown. A three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Kunkle guided the team to the NCAA II Tournament for five straight years. She is USI’s all-time winningest coach, possessing a 674-465-1 (.592) overall record entering 2025. The Screaming Eagles seamlessly transitioned from DII to DI in 2023 and have accrued 46 wins through their first two seasons in Division I and the Ohio Valley Conference under her direction.Sue Kunkle is the longtime head coach of the University of Southern Indiana Softball team. The 2025 season is Kunkle’s 24th year leading the program, coaching the Screaming Eagles to the 2018 NCAA II National Championship crown. A three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Kunkle guided the team to the NCAA II Tournament for five straight years. She is USI’s all-time winningest coach, possessing a 674-465-1 (.592) overall record entering 2025. The Screaming Eagles seamlessly transitioned from DII to DI in 2023 and have accrued 46 wins through their first two seasons in Division I and the Ohio Valley Conference under her direction.

  • Ryan Wondrasek

    Assistant Coach

    Ryan Wondrasek

    Assistant Coach

    Ryan Wondrasek has worked with Oklahoma Softball for three seasons as the Director of Player Development. He oversees all the data, analytics, and video collected during practice and competition, along with advanced scouting for all opponents. He also assists the coaching staff with recruiting and development of the Sooner catchers. He was previously a head coach at Northwestern, Oklahoma State University, and Seward County Community College.Ryan Wondrasek has worked with Oklahoma Softball for three seasons as the Director of Player Development. He oversees all the data, analytics, and video collected during practice and competition, along with advanced scouting for all opponents. He also assists the coaching staff with recruiting and development of the Sooner catchers. He was previously a head coach at Northwestern, Oklahoma State University, and Seward County Community College.Ryan Wondrasek has worked with Oklahoma Softball for three seasons as the Director of Player Development. He oversees all the data, analytics, and video collected during practice and competition, along with advanced scouting for all opponents. He also assists the coaching staff with recruiting and development of the Sooner catchers. He was previously a head coach at Northwestern, Oklahoma State University, and Seward County Community College.

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    Follow us at @ausl_blazeFollow us at @ausl_blazeFollow us at @ausl_blazeFollow us at @ausl_blazeFollow us at @ausl_blazeFollow us at @ausl_blazeFollow us at @ausl_blazeFollow us at @ausl_blaze
    did we do this right? 😉

#AUSL
    you could eat WHAT @bayleekling 😂
    oh captain, my captain 🫡

#AUSL
    we are excited to round out our 2025 coaching staff with these amazing additions! ❤️‍🔥
    .ƃuı̣ʇsǝɟı̣uɐɯ

#AUSL
    happy satur-slay 🙂‍↕️🔥
    slidin’ into the weekend like 🔥
    (bat) tossing negativity away 💅👋
    its giving... legendary 🔥

our Blaze athletes, @aliyahandrews and @aleshiaocasio are featured in the “This is Legendary” commercial spot for @theauslofficial! 💖
    @aleshiaocasio’s pitching eats 💅
    coach @agoler35 been a dawgggg 🐶❤️‍🔥
swipe to look at her playing days with @ugasoftball! 

Credit: @ugaathletics
    fired 🆙 for Friday ❤️‍🔥
    what, like it’s hard? 💅

#AUSL
    she’s just a girl…with an elite glove 🔥

#AUSL
    okayyyyy, @aliyahandrews 🩷🔥
    well if this isn’t the most precious thing ever 🥹💖

(via @nniiiss on TikTok)
    her pregame gloss is poppin’, her pregame gloss is cool 💄
    aura 💅
    let’s have some fun 💅 

here is the Blaze’s 2025 schedule!
    we meaaaannnn cmon 💅

(via @aleshiaocasio on TikTok)