Alana Vawter

Alana Vawter is a 6-foot-0 professional softball pitcher from Kansas City, Missouri. She was acquired in the 5th Round of the 2026 Expansion Draft following a collegiate career at Stanford and South Carolina.

Personal Life

Hobbies: Enjoys cooking, reading and painting by numbers, and knows how to play the ukulele. Aspires to visit all of the national parks in the United States.

Background: Member of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Player Executive Committee. Was a three-sport athlete in high school, also competing in swimming and track and field. Wears No. 15 because her brother wore the number during his baseball career. Lists former coach Nate Minnis as a person who has made a difference in her life, counts Jessica Mendoza among her softball idols, and says her most prized possession is her passport. Threw a ceremonial first pitch before the Kansas City Royals' game against Detroit on August 21, 2026.

Education: Graduated from Stanford with a degree in engineering, which she names as her proudest accomplishment.

Family: Daughter of Susie and Larry Vawter, and has two brothers.

Professional Experience

Athletes Unlimited Softball League (2025-)

2026 AUSL Regular Season (Oklahoma City Spark): Vawter made seven appearances with two starts for Oklahoma City, posting a 1-0 record with one save and a 4.20 earned run average. She struck out five over 18.1 innings and earned a complete game victory against Utah on July 12.

2025 AUSL All-Star Cup: Completed her first All-Star Cup season tied for 21st place with 870 leaderboard points. Tied for second in the league with seven game victories. Authored a 5.78 ERA over 13.1 innings with six strikeouts and two saves.

2025 AUSL Regular Season: Appeared in 12 games with five starts during her first AUSL season. Posted a 1-5 record with a 4.52 ERA and 17 strikeouts over 31.0 innings. Earned a save against the Bandits on July 8.

Other Professional Experience (2024–2026)

AFP & Japan Diamond League: Competed for the Florida Vibe during the 2024 AFP season. Played for Denso Bright Pegasus of the Japan Diamond League during the 2025 and 2026 campaigns.

International Experience (2023)

Team USA: Member of the Team USA roster for the 2023 Japan All-Star Series, throwing 4.2 innings with three strikeouts.

College Experience: Stanford & South Carolina (2020–2024)

Career Statistics: Made 169 total appearances with 126 starts between Stanford and South Carolina. Authored a 94-47 career record with seven saves and a 1.82 ERA. Compiled 633 strikeouts over 867.2 innings with 84 complete games.

Graduate Year (2024, South Carolina): Paced South Carolina with 41 appearances, finishing with a 17-13 record, three saves, and a 1.95 ERA (approximate interpretation of her final stats) over 188.2 innings. Tossed 12 complete games, including three shutouts.

Senior Year (2023, Stanford): Posted a 21-8 record with a 1.81 ERA and 155 strikeouts.

Junior Year (2022, Stanford): Went 25-14 with a 1.97 ERA over 227.2 innings, spinning 27 complete games and 11 shutouts.

Sophomore Year (2021, Stanford): Fashioned a 22-11 record with a 1.54 ERA, throwing seven shutouts.

Freshman Year (2020, Stanford): Posted a 9-1 record and a 1.48 ERA during the COVID-shortened campaign.

Awards & Honors

All-America: Two-time NFCA All-America performer (Third-Team in 2024, Second-Team in 2023).

Conference & Region Honors: Four-time NFCA All-Region Team. Three-time First-Team All-Pac-12 Conference and member of the 2024 All-SEC Second Team.