The GIST

Rebel Girls expands on AUSL partnership to reach Gen Alpha softball fans

Today, Rebel Girls (RG) — an empowerment brand geared toward young girls — expanded on its existing partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), the pro women’s softball league beginning in June. RG hopes to connect tweens with the game by developing and distributing softball content through its new Rebel Girls Sport vertical.

March 05, 2025

SEC teams dominate the first two weeks of collegiate softball season

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The road to the Women's College World Series runs through the Southeast

February 19, 2025

What we learned from week one of the softball season

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The NCAA softball landscape has long been dominated by the same teams, with Oklahoma winning the last four titles and just 13 different squads claiming trophies since 1982. But if Week 1 is any indication, we just might be seeing an increase in parity. Here’s who’s knocking it out of the park with the first few games done and dusted.

February 12, 2025

Softball season is upon us, with familiar faces headlining the Nation’s top squads

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There might still be snow outside your window and a chill in the air, but get your glove ready because softball season is almost here.

February 05, 2025

Women’s Professional Fastpitch players voice concerns over alleged breach of contract

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As covered in yesterday’s episode of The GIST of It, the pro softball space has been thrown yet another curveball. Last week, several prominent pro softball players spoke out against subpar working conditions during the 2024 Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF) season, which they allege breach their signed contracts.

October 09, 2024

Amanda Lorenz wins fifth annual Athletes Unlimited softball title

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More women’s sports, coming right up. After a down-to-the-wire, highlight reel–worthy championship weekend, Amanda Lorenz is your 2024 Athletes Unlimited (AU) softball winner, accumulating 1800 points to claim the fifth annual crown. Diamond’s gotta shine.

August 26, 2024

College softball’s popularity proves integral to pro league’s success

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The fifth season of AU Pro Softball will reach its electrifying end on Sunday, when one of the country’s 60 best players will top the leaderboard to become the 2024 champion. From expansion to big-time investors, the league’s success reflects softball’s growth into mainstream sports culture — and much of that stems from the college game’s skyrocketing popularity.

August 23, 2024

College

An exclusive interview with AU Pro Softball’s Lexi Kilfoyl

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August 23, 2024

Pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl played three years at Alabama and two at Oklahoma State — both WCWS mainstays. In her first pro season, Kilfoyl has earned enough weekly points to land within the league’s Top 4 for four straight weeks, thus allowing her to captain her team. We chatted with Kilfoyl about her transition from the college game to AU’s diamond, with her insights demonstrating the NCAA’s power to push the game forward at all levels.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #444

Bracketology 101: Wild, weird, and wacky March Madness trends

March 20, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Bracketology 101: Wild, weird, and wacky March Madness trends

The odds of making a perfect bracket? 1 in 9.2 quintillion.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t tips, tricks, and tools of the trade when it comes to filling out your Big Dance predictions. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz look at the shocking men’s March Madness trends that have stood the test of time, from the seed that always seems to pull off the upset to the underrated skills that turn unknown teams into contenders. Grab your pencils: Bracketology 101 is in session.

A special shout out to Peloton for sponsoring today’s episode! No matter where you are in your fitness journey, Peloton’s easy-to-use app is here to provide you with the workout, support, and community you need. Download the app today for a free 30-day trial.

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