Utah infielder Jordan Woolery has hoisted not one but two trophies in the last month. After clinching the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League Championship with the Talons, the slugger can now add winning MLBx in Atlanta to her list of accomplishments.
MLBx was one of the events during the Atlanta Braves’ annual Alumni Weekend, and Woolery, along with Bri Ellis, Megan Grant, and Sydney Romero, participated in the event ahead of the Braves versus Diamondbacks game later that evening.
“There were a lot of people in the stands, especially in the outfield,” Woolery said. “They were ready to catch the balls and were screaming at us to throw them the balls that were short at them, which I thought was pretty cool that a lot of people wanted to come out and watch us hit. It was a really cool experience and atmosphere.”
MLBx is a unique spin on a home run derby where teams of three earn points for home runs, defensive catches, and bonus targets, with a five-swing “Hot Streak” that doubles up the potential for points. At MLBx Atlanta, Braves alumni like Brian Jordan, Charlie Culberson, and Julio Franco serve as captains, with an AUSL athlete and a college baseball player on each team.
Woolery was paired up with former Braves outfielder Kevin Pillar and Georgia Tech baseball player Ryan Zuckerman.
“I honestly want to do it again. And our group was super fun, which made it even better,” Woolery said of her MLBx teammates.
In the lead-up to the event, she had one practice hitting baseball from an overhand delivery. Once they arrived at Truist Park, all the participants had a batting practice session in cages and then on the field. Woolery was initially shocked at the feel of a park like Atlanta’s that seats over 40,000 fans. That and the excitement didn’t lead to the best BP on the field.
It was surreal. The field is huge. I don’t think I realized until we were actually on the field. I think it was just the nerves for sure. The first time being on an elevated platform, hitting it was kinda weird, but after I got used to it, it was easier than I thought it was going to be.”
Woolery hit her fair share out once the round got going, putting up points on the board for Team Pillar.
It came down to a swing-off between Woolery’s MLBx teammate and her former UCLA teammate, Megan Grant. Grant’s captain, Julio Franco, picked Grant to face off with Zuckerman in the championship-deciding round. The two were neck and neck, but Zuckerman knocked one out at the buzzer.
The 67-year-old Franco may have wowed more than any other. The three-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger was in the lineup for the Braves the year Grant and Zuckerman were both born.
Even though her squad was knocked out early, Ellis was the top contributor to Team Jordan. She tallied 17 total points, a combination of points for home runs plus her target hits and “hot streak” multipliers.
Ellis commented on the streak of homers she hit in a row, saying it’s a feeling like no other.
“Effortless. Just as a swing should be,” Ellis said. “And the ball was flying in Truist Park.”
Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter for the AUSL. You can follow her on Instagram @savvyco.
