It was a long-anticipated day for professional softball.
To say the wait only dates back to June 4 last year, when the Athletes Unlimited Softball League was officially announced, wouldn’t be quite accurate. Some have waited years for a viable pro softball league. Others, decades.
Although it was only day one, the start of the AUSL in Rosemont was a dream realized for many. These are five moments from opening day at Parkway Bank Sports Complex to remember.
Standing room only
The morning of Opening Day, the league announced that the first match-up between the Bandits and Talons would be in front of a sold-out crowd.
Two hours before gametime, and there was a line out the door to attend fanfest, secure a great seat, and receive a free ice cream helmet — because who doesn’t love free ice cream?
MLB legends show support for Kim Ng and softball
The recently announced backing of the AUSL by Major League Baseball had another display of advocacy on Saturday — this time, even more personal.
Former Yankees manager and MLB executive Joe Torre, as well as former Executive Vice President of the Chicago White Sox Kenny Williams, were in attendance to watch the game and support their colleague Kim Ng.
AUSL Commissioner Ng was with Torre during their time in the Yankees organization. They won three straight World Series with Torre as manager and Ng as assistant general manager.
Reconnect with old fandoms and new favorites sparked
The 2025 season may be a touring model for the AUSL, but there’s no denying the Bandits have home-field advantage in Rosemont. The storied franchise, which started as a National Pro Fastpitch team, made its resurgence. The Bandits of the NPF were in operation from 2005 until 2021, when they closed the stadium gates.
When the team pushed a pair of runs across in the third after a triple from Erin Coffel, it was clear who the majority was there to root for.
For others in attendance, they were starting new fandoms, sparked by their favorite collegiate players. Rhonda Allen from Mountain Home, Arkansas, made a nine-hour drive to see Razorback Bri Ellis make her pro debut for the Talons.
“I was a softball fan before I was ever a Bri Ellis fan, but when [she] came to Arkansas, she was phenomenal,” Allen said. “This past year she rocketed off the charts; that’s why I love Bri Ellis.”
Allen had on an Ellis Arkansas jersey, but don’t worry, the custom Talons’ order is in the mail.
First x3: Sierra Sacco goes yard
Imagine: rookie season, first professional at-bat in a new league’s first game.
It was Sierra Sacco’s moment, and she delivered. A 0-1 count in the top of the third inning was all she needed to put her name in the record books. The Mississippi State softball alum was the second selection for the Talons in the AUSL College Draft and started the game in left field.
For other league firsts, check out a tracker here.
Bandits secure the win
It seemed only fitting that the Bandits would get the first win in league history.
Jennie Finch was there in the stadium that sits on the road of her namesake: Jennie Finch Way. And while it’s been home to AU Pro Softball for the past four years, the city and its patrons had not forgotten about their beloved team.
After Sacco’s solo home run in the third, the Bandits answered back in the bottom with a two-run triple by Coffel. She scored Skylar Wallace and Morgan Zerkle.
They tacked on another in the 5th that brought what would be a victory of 3-1 over the Talons.
“I’ve had the privilege of coaching in this facility before with some excited and rabid Bandits fans, and it was very much the same,” Bandits head coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz said following the win.
She was the head coach of the team in 2018 and led them to the NPF Championship Series.
“We knew we were part of something special and a historic day for our sport. You could feel the energy in the space.”
Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter for the AUSL. You can follow her on X @savannaecollins.
