The Blaze will complete their 2025 roster on May 3 at the AUSL College Draft, adding three athletes from the top NCAA talent who have finished their eligibility. Each AUSL team began building its roster at the Allocation Draft and during the free agency period and will carry 16 total athletes.

The Blaze roster currently stands at the following 13 players:

No. 1 Draft Need: Pitcher

Like the other three teams, the Blaze need one more pitcher for their bullpen (all teams must carry five pitchers on the roster). They have the most experienced staff, including veterans Carley Hoover, Aleshia Ocasio, and Keilani Ricketts. Blaze General Manager Dana Sorensen was a pitcher at Stanford and has an expertise in analytics, so don’t expect her to wait until later rounds to get the pitcher she wants.

Pick Prediction: Emma Lemley or Emiley Kennedy

Emma Lemley was given the first golden ticket for the AUSL College Draft, and her profile as a pitcher could fit in well with the rest of the Blaze bullpen. She’s shown she can handle pressure situations and cruise through games – Lemley leads the nation in no-hitters with four this year. Earlier this season, Lemley had an even more impressive feat, throwing back-to-back perfect games. Her pitches can hit 68 mph, and she’s used a change-up often.

Lemley is putting together the best season of her collegiate career with a 15-4 record and 2.40 ERA. Lemley has made 27 appearances for the Hokies this season with 19 starts.

Texas A&M’s Emiley Kennedy is one of the latest pitchers to receive a golden ticket and would add another lefty to the staff. She came off a hot junior season at the top of the national rankings for wins (24), strikeouts (200), innings pitched (202.2), shutouts (10), and complete games (24) and has continued to stay on fire.

This year, Kennedy has logged a 2.75 ERA with a 16-3 record and 25 appearances for the Aggies. She throws over 70 mph, and her coaches have praised her for developing her ability to hit high speeds and spread the plate.

No. 2 Draft Need: Middle Infielder

The Blaze could use some depth at the middle infielder position, with only Leach and Urtez set to play second and shortstop. Infield expertise supersedes outfield for this team because they can always shift Kayla Kowalik from catcher to right field.

Pick Prediction: Ana Gold

Shortstop Ana Gold is the only middle infielder to receive a golden ticket, so she is the front runner to be drafted to the Blaze right now if they go for that position.

Gold has impacted Duke Softball since her freshman year and has only improved. She also has experience on the biggest stage; Gold helped lead Duke to the Women’s College World Series in 2024 and was one of just six players to start every game for the Blue Devils. She hit .269 with 44 RBIs and led the team with nine home runs last season.

Her senior campaign has been even better. She’s hitting .351 with an on-base percentage of .440 with 11 home runs. Her strikeouts have lessened significantly, too, with 20 in 148 at-bats.

No. 3 Draft Need: Corner Infielder or Utility

The Blaze went light on corner infielders at the Allocation Draft, only selecting third baseman Baylee Klingler, but made a great pick up with free agent Danielle Gibson Whorton to play first base. The Blaze could add some depth to the hot corner at the college draft since they lack a utility player or other athletes who could shift into the position.

Pick Prediction: Bri Ellis or Mia Scott

With highly touted seniors at both positions, the Blaze could go with Mia Scott (3B) out of Texas or Arkansas’s Bris Ellis (1B).

Scott is a three-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List and is currently ranked the second-best third baseman in the country by Softball America. Texas Softball lists her as a utility player on their roster, so there is the potential she could play other positions aside from the hot corner. She has a .954 fielding percentage — the best of her career so far. Scott’s offense has improved since her freshman year in 2022, with her batting average rising from .377 to .444 through 45 games this season. Scott’s strikeout rate is particularly low (less than 10%), with only seven K’s in 124 at-bats.

Ellis has made an impact for the Razorbacks since her freshman year, hitting clean-up in the batting order then starting all 62 games as a sophomore. Last season, she was named a Second-Team NFCA All-American and First-Team All-SEC. It was a career-best year for her, batting .322 with 14 home runs, leading the team with a .651 slugging percentage. Ellis has bested some of those numbers already in her senior year. She’s blasted 20 home runs in the 2025 season and holds a .500 average and 1.261 slugging percentage through 88 at-bats.

Tune in on May 3 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on ESPNU as the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts choose the top college talent invited to compete in the AUSL’s inaugural season.

Read More: AUSL College Draft: Golden Ticket Tracker

The AUSL is a professional women’s softball league featuring four teams playing in a traditional format. Tickets to the 2025 season are on sale now.

Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter for the AUSL. You can follow her on X @savannaecollins.