Out of Left Field

Sahvanna Jaquish joins Out of Left Field to break down her incredible softball journey from LSU superstar to professional softball veteran, Team USA gold medalist, and AUSL champion. In this episode, Jaquish shares what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of softball, the mindset that helped her become one of the most decorated hitters in LSU history, and how the professional softball landsc...

Sami Williams has one of the most unique stories in professional softball. From playing at Iowa State to competing in Athletes Unlimited, the WPF, and now the AUSL with the Chicago Bandits, Sami’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, networking, and betting on yourself. Off the field, she’s also a senior software engineer with the Chicago Cubs, balancing a career in Major League Baseball while...

SEC softball conference play is officially here, and opening weekend features multiple ranked matchups and major storylines across the conference. In this episode of Out of Left Field, Abby Alonzo breaks down the biggest series of the weekend, including No. 1 Tennessee vs No. 16 LSU, Georgia vs Arkansas, and Texas vs South Carolina, while also looking at undefeated Alabama entering SEC play, Flori...

Emma Lemley — Virginia Tech softball legend and AUSL Golden Ticket history maker — joins Out of Left Field for a deep dive into her journey from Forest, Virginia to professional softball. In this full interview, Emma Lemley opens up about her time at Virginia Tech, becoming the first player to receive an AUSL college Golden Ticket, navigating pressure at the highest level of college softball, and...

Taryne Mowatt-McKinney has done it all in college softball. In this episode of Out of Left Field, Abby Alonzo sits down with 2x Women’s College World Series champion and Arizona softball legend Taryne Mowatt-McKinney to talk about her journey from dominant pitcher to Division I pitching coach and AUSL coach. Mowatt-McKinney won back-to-back Women’s College World Series titles with Arizona (2006, 2...

LSU Softball pitcher Jayden Heavener made history in her college debut — throwing a PERFECT GAME with 13 strikeouts in her first appearance in the circle for the Tigers. In this episode of Out of Left Field, host Abby Alonzo sits down with the Pace, Florida native and former Gatorade Player of the Year to talk about: • Throwing a perfect game in her LSU debut • The mindset behind competing at the...

Tori Edwards is one of the most decorated players in college softball and an asset for LSU Softball. The 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year joins host Abby Alonzo to talk about her journey to Baton Rouge, the pressure and pride that come with wearing purple and gold, and the personal growth that’s shaped her both on and off the field. From confidence and mindset to team chemistry and expectations for t...

Today on Out of Left Field, Abby Alonzo sits down with Savanna Collins — one of the leading storytellers and on-camera reporters covering the AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League). This episode is a must-watch if you love pro softball, care about growing women’s sports, or want a real look at what it takes to build a career in sports media. Savanna shares her journey from being a coach’s kid i...

In this episode of Out of Left Field, Georgina Corrick joins Abby Alonzo for a deep, honest conversation about failing to get better, professional softball, international play, and building an identity beyond the sport. Georgina opens up about growing up with English parents in the U.S., how independence shaped her mindset, and why she believes loving failure is essential to elite performance. Fro...

First episode of 2026 — and we’re kicking it off with Megan “Meg” Faraimo. 🔥 UCLA alum, Team USA pitcher, pro standout (AU/AUSL), and an international hooper who’s played overseas (Japan + Mexico). In this episode, Meg breaks down what it actually feels like to wear USA on your chest, why international softball matters, and the mindset tools she uses to stay locked in — including her journaling s...

Jadelyn Allchin’s softball journey is one every athlete — and parent — needs to hear. In this episode of Out of Left Field, host Abby Alonzo sits down with professional softball player Jadelyn Allchin to unpack one of the most powerful stories in the modern game. From starring at Washington, transferring home to UCLA Softball, navigating the transfer portal, and grinding through the AUSL reserve p...

Welcome back to Out of Left Field — today I’m joined by one of the most impactful voices in softball, Team Mexico Olympian, AUSL veteran, and ESPN/SEC Network analyst, Tori Vidales. In this episode, Tori opens up about: Her rise from Texas A&M to international softball Playing for Team Mexico, battles behind the scenes, and qualifying for the Olympics The wild early years of Athletes Unlimited...

AUSL catcher and former Florida State standout Michaela Edenfield sits down for one of the most honest conversations Abby Alonzo has had on Out of Left Field. We dive into topics athletes rarely feel safe talking about publicly: • confidence vs. insecurity • bullying and identity • balancing femininity (makeup, beauty) and elite performance • mental health, emotional regulation, vulnerability • th...

Former Tennessee Lady Vol Payton Gottshall pulls back the curtain on what professional softball actually looks like: bouncing between leagues and countries (Mexico, Netherlands, Taiwan), 60-hour travel days, and why Mexico’s fan culture is unmatched. We also dive into the AUSL x ESPN/ABC deal and what city-based teams mean for players and fans in 2026. Plus: how the transfer from Bowling Green to...

UCLA national champion, Team USA alum, and entrepreneur Paige Halstead joins Out of Left Field to talk about her journey from winning a natty at UCLA to building her own lane in softball — as a broadcaster, creator, and business owner. Paige opens up about how she helped design gear for All-Star Catching, the company redefining equipment for female athletes, and why she and her fiancé started Prep...

Tennessee Softball star Karlyn Pickens — the two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, Team USA athlete, and owner of the fastest pitch in college softball (79.4 MPH) — joins Abby Alonzo on Out of Left Field to talk about breaking records, leadership, NIL, and finding her “why.” Recorded inside Tennessee’s Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, Karlyn opens up about growing up in North Carolina, choosing the Lady Vol...

Team Canada catcher Natalie Wideman joins Abby Alonzo for a powerful, unfiltered conversation on Out of Left Field. A 14-year veteran, Olympic medalist, and founder of Unedited Self Co, Natalie opens up about: -The early days of chasing an Olympic dream -Overcoming fear and self-doubt as a female athlete -Building her brand and community through vulnerability -The growth of women’s softball and ML...

In this deep-dive interview, Abby Alonzo sits down with Ali Newland (former LSU outfielder, current AUSL player and Nationals Home Run Derby X team member) to talk about her path, mindset, and experiences. What's covered: • How MLB's Home Run Derby X works — setup, format, MLB’s backing, and how Ali got selected • Her time on the Nationals team — her teammates, collaboration, and what made that sq...

Sierra Sacco has one of the most remarkable journeys in softball. In this exclusive Out of Left Field interview, Sierra opens up about her path from Louisiana Tech to Mississippi State, why she chose to bet on herself in the transfer portal, and how that decision shaped her career. Sacco reflects on her two perfect defensive seasons at Mississippi State, her relentless work ethic, and how she beca...

Sam Landry has quickly become one of the most recognizable names in AUSL softball — and for good reason. In this exclusive Out of Left Field interview, Sam opens up about her journey on and off the field. She shares how pitching with glasses has become part of her brand, the way she connects with fans through social media, and why being a role model for the next generation of softball players mean...