Arizona softball standout Sydney Stewart found out where she’ll be playing professionally on Monday.
Stewart, one of 17 college players to receive a “golden ticket” from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) earlier this season, was selected by the Portland Cascade in the league’s collegiate draft.
Arizona’s Sydney Stewart comes home to the crowd at the plate after knocking a two-run homer, putting the Wildcats up 11-1 in the first inning against BYU in their Big 12 season opener in Tucson on March 5. Stewart had already plated three runs earlier in the first on a double.
The Cascade picked Stewart in the second round with the ninth overall selection.
The senior catcher has had two stellar seasons in Tucson since transferring from Washington to Arizona. Stewart has had back-to-back 20-homer campaigns while driving in 144 runs.
After batting .374 as a junior, Stewart is hitting .429 entering Arizona’s Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal matchup against Arizona State on Thursday in Oklahoma City. She leads the conference this season in slugging percentage (1.034), on-base percentage (.573), OPS (1.607), RBIs (76) and walks drawn (41).
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Arizona softball's Sydney Stewart, center, is overcome with emotion after receiving an AUSL golden ticket after a game vs. Baylor on March 29, 2026, in Tucson.
Stewart last week was named one of 25 finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. She was a second-team NFCA All-American and a first-team All-Big 12 selection last year.
Stewart is the second Wildcat to be drafted by the AUSL in as many years, following two-way standout Devyn Netz.
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens was selected first overall Monday by the Carolina Blaze. Texas Tech right-hander NiJaree Canady was the second pick, by the Texas Volts.
Former UA outfielder Dakota Kennedy, who transferred to Arkansas for her senior season, was taken by Carolina with the last pick of the third round, No. 16 overall.
The AUSL expanded to six city-based teams for 2026. The season begins June 9.
Contact sports reporter/columnist Michael Lev at mlev@tucson.com. On X (Twitter): @michaeljlev. On Bluesky: @michaeljlev.bsky.social
Michael Lev
Sports Reporter/Columnist
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