There was plenty to celebrate around Athletes Unlimited Softball in 2026, including some exciting additions away from the field.
Several current and former AUSL players welcomed children this year, while others announced their pregnancies in 2026.
Here are some AUSL families that grew in 2026.
Danielle Gibson Whorton Welcomes Daughter Maeve
Danielle Gibson Whorton and her husband, Mallie Whorton, welcomed their daughter Maeve Elizabeth on Sept. 7.
Maeve is the couple’s second child; their son Whitley Mallie was born Nov. 4, 2024. Gibson-Whorton announced her pregnancy in March following the 2025 AUSL season with the Carolina Blaze.
Anissa Urtez Chidester and Amanda Chidester Welcome Son Noah
Athletes Unlimited softball brought Anissa Urtez Chidester and Amanda Chidester together on the field. The couple married on June 28, 2024, and welcomed son Noah on April 17.
Both are also Olympians. Urtez represented Team Mexico at the Tokyo Games, while Chidester played for Team USA. Amanda retired from softball in 2022, while Anissa retired in 2025 after the inaugural Blaze season.
Gwen Svekis Edwards and Taylor Edwards Are Expecting Their First Child
Gwen Edwards and Taylor Edwards are another couple with roots in Athletes Unlimited softball.
The two former AU pro athletes married June 30, 2025, and announced via Instagram on Sept. 9 that they are expecting their first child together.
Taylor retired from softball in 2025 following the inaugural AUSL season with the Blaze. She played six seasons across AUSL and earlier editions of AU Pro Softball, while Gwen retired in 2024.
Kinzie Hansen McKinzie Has a Baby on the Way
Kinzie Hansen McKinzie was set to begin the Oklahoma City Spark’s first season as an AUSL franchise after being selected in the first round of the 2026 Allocation Draft.
But the former Oklahoma catcher had another reason to celebrate.
Hansen McKinzie announced in May that she and her husband, Kobie McKinzie, are expecting their first child: a boy. The couple married Jan. 31 after meeting as student-athletes at Oklahoma.
Amanda Lorenz Is Expecting a Baby Girl
Amanda Lorenz announced May 26 that she and her husband, Griffin Mazur, are expecting their first child.
Lorenz, who played outfield for the Texas Volts during the 2025 season, shared another update on July 1, announcing that they are having a girl.
Odicci Alexander-Bennett Returns as a New Mom
After playing for the Bandits while pregnant during the 2025 season, Odicci Alexander-Bennett returned to the field as a new mother in 2026.
Alexander-Bennett announced her pregnancy in July 2025 and welcomed her daughter Halo with her husband, Hakeem Bennett, in January.
Just months later, the pitcher returned to Chicago to play the full 2026 season.
Jocelyn Alo Welcomes Her First Child
Jocelyn Alo also welcomed a new addition in 2026.
The Bandits utility player and Allocation Draft pick took the 2026 season off after welcoming her son, Bobby Joe Evans III, with her husband, Bobby Evans Jr., in April.
Kelsey Stewart-Hunter Welcomes Baby No. 3
Kelsey Stewart-Hunter welcomed her third child, a daughter, with her husband, Brice, in 2026.
After spending time on the temporary inactive list, the Volts infielder returned in July and played seven games after welcoming the fifth member of the Stewart-Hunter crew.
