5 UCLA Softball Stars Win Pro Championship With Utah Talons

Five former UCLA Bruins took home professional softball's highest honor this weekend when the Utah Talons swept the Chicago Bandits to win the 2026 AUSL Championship in College Station, Texas.

Jadelyn Allchin, Megan Faraimo, Sharlize Palacios, Taylor Tinsley, and Jordan Woolery proved that Bruin excellence doesn't stop at graduation. The team dominated the best-of-three series with 2-1 and 6-1 victories, finishing their season with the league's best record at 17-9.

Allchin earned Championship MVP honors after a performance that showcased why she's one of softball's rising stars. She launched a two-run homer over the right-center wall in Game 2's first inning, then doubled down the right-field line in the fourth. Her diving catch in left field during the third inning sealed her reputation as a complete player.

In Game 1, Allchin scored both of Utah's runs, including the championship-clinching score on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning. Her teammate Woolery contributed with two hits in three at-bats during the series.

The success ran deeper than just the players on the field. General manager Lisa Fernandez and assistant coach Will Oldham, both current UCLA softball staff members, won their second straight AUSL Championship together since the league launched two years ago.

The Ripple Effect

This championship represents more than one team's victory. It shows how UCLA's softball program continues building careers beyond college athletics. The AUSL, now in just its second year, is creating professional opportunities for women athletes who previously had limited options after graduation.

Allchin led the Talons all season with a .345 batting average, 20 RBIs, and 22 runs scored. Palacios wasn't far behind with a .340 average and 11 RBIs in 17 games. In her rookie season, Woolery batted .294 with 20 hits.

On the pitching side, Faraimo posted a 4-2 record with 42 strikeouts over 45.2 innings. Tinsley threw a complete-game shutout in her professional debut, proving that UCLA's pitching development translates perfectly to the pro level.

The championship caps a remarkable season for the upstart league and demonstrates that women's professional softball can thrive when given the platform and support it deserves.