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ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (August 12, 2026) – Rawlings Sporting Goods announced the first finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). This award honors the best individual fielding performances in the AUSL, the highest level of professional softball in the United States.
Rawlings created the Gold Glove Award in 1957 to honor the top defensive players in Major League Baseball. In 2022, Rawlings expanded the award to collegiate softball, but this is the first time the award will be presented to players in the AUSL. This will mark the second time the Gold Glove Award has been presented in pro softball, following the 2016-2019 seasons of the now-defunct National Pro Fastpitch league.
“At Rawlings, we’ve always believed in supporting the athletes and leagues that help move the game forward, and bringing the Gold Glove Award to the AUSL accomplishes that and more,” said Mike Thomspon, Chief Marketing Officer at Rawlings. “Partnering with the AUSL is an exciting opportunity to stand behind the incredible talent in women’s professional softball and contribute to the continued growth of the sport.”
Rawlings is the official bat, glove and base of the AUSL, in addition to being the official game ball, glove, helmet, face guard, base and equipment bag for MLB. The first AUSL Rawlings Gold Glove Award will be presented before the AUSL All-Star Cup game in Rosemont, Illinois, on Sunday, August 16.
The three finalists for the award were determined on votes gathered by representatives from each AUSL team (their General Manager, head coach and associate head coach). The three finalists for the award are:
- Jadelyn Allchin, Outfielder, Utah Talons: Allchin’s defense has been a key factor in the Talons’ back-to-back AUSL championship titles. The rangy outfielder uses her tremendous instincts and closing speed to chase down fly balls and control the basepaths as well as anyone in the game. The second-year outfielder showed off her skills at the plate and in the field during Utah’s championship run in 2026, when she took home AUSL Championship MVP honors along with a ring.
- Alyssa Brito, Infielder, Carolina Blaze: The first-round pick in the 2026 Allocation Draft, former University of Oklahoma standout and AUSL newcomer put on a defensive clinic, anchoring the Carolina defense with her surefire hands and powerful throwing arm. She recorded 27 putouts and 37 assists in 136.2 innings for the Blaze, committing just two errors all season.
- Sydney Romero, Infielder, Oklahoma City Spark: A human highlight reel at shortstop, Romero’s presence in the Oklahoma City infield makes for must-see TV. Her 45 assists led all shortstops in the 2026 season, as did her five double plays and .974 fielding percentage. The veteran infielder’s presence fueled an impressive season from the Spark, and her game-ending, glove-flipping diving stop to keep OKC’s playoff hopes alive was one of the season’s most iconic moments.
Follow along with AUSL and Rawlings on Instagram (@theauslofficial and @rawlingssb) to see who takes home the first-ever AUSL Rawlings Gold Glove Award on August 16.
Rawlings is a member and supporter of NSGA. Mike Thompson, Harry Latina, Claude Carr and Ed Horner of Rawlings are in the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.
