Two Carolina Blaze athletes will compete in a unique home run derby format this weekend. Infielder Ana Gold and catcher Reese Atwood will showcase their long-ball skills at MLBx Durham at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
MLBx is a unique home run derby with four teams of three athletes: Athletes Unlimited Softball League stars, former big leaguers, and college baseball players. Teams earn points for home runs, defensive catches, and bonus targets, with a five-swing “Hot Streak” that doubles the potential for points.
The teams this weekend are:
Team Durham Bulls: Ben Zobrist, Reese Atwodd, and Brandon Novy
Team Bull Dragons: Rick Ankiel, Ana Gold, Michael Dimartini
Team Toros Bravos de Durham: Jose Reyes, Megan Grant, Davin Whitaker
Team Bulls City Blues: Adrian Gonzalez, Sami Williams, Justice Thompson
Atwood enters the event after a 2026 Rookie of the Year campaign where she hit eight homers in 68 at-bats as a first-time pro. Gold is also a former ROY, earning the honor the year prior. She is a local favorite after a standout career at Duke, where she finished her career as a Blue Devil with a school-record 54 home runs.
This is the third appearance AUSL players have made at MLBx events this summer. During MLB All-Star Weekend in July, Rachel Garcia, Alyssa Brito, Tiare Jennings and NiJaree Canady represented the league in the inaugural MLBx: All-Star 3-on-3 at Citizens Bank Park. Then Bri Ellis, Jordan Woolery, Megan Grant and Sydney Romero competed in MLBx Atlanta, the first event to take place before an MLB game.
The event begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18. Tickets can be purchased here.