The GIST

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

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

An exclusive interview with AU Pro Softball’s Lexi Kilfoyl

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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.

August 23, 2024

The biggest transfers ahead of the 2024–25 school year

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These players are already making waves at their new schools.

July 03, 2024

NCAA-to-pro pipeline: Softball

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Like many women’s sports, softball’s professional history is messy, but now, one innovative league is bringing stability to the game. Here’s everything you need to know about the top diamond destination for the NCAA’s best: Athletes Unlimited (AU).

June 24, 2024

The Women’s College World Series is the latest growth magnet for women’s sports

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The latest NCAA event to demonstrate women’s sports’ massive growth? The Women’s College World Series (WCWS)

June 10, 2024

Oklahoma softball wins record-breaking fourth straight national championship

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No. 2–seed Oklahoma topped rival No. 1 Texas 8–4 to capture their fourth straight national championship, becoming the first program to ever do so.

June 07, 2024

The Women's College World Series championship is set

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The Women’s College World Series (WCWS) best-of-three championship finale begins today at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Look out — the Red River Rivalry is coming to the Greatest Show on Dirt.

June 05, 2024

College

Four teams survived the weekend to play in today’s NCAA softball national semifinals

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June 03, 2024

Four survivors are fighting for a spot in tonight's semifinals.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #406

Talking hoops with WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes

October 17, 2024

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Talking hoops with WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes

Hoop, there she is!

Amid the ongoing WNBA Finals, today’s episode of The GIST of It is extra-hooptastic — WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes joins The GIST’s Associate Managing Editor Lauren Tuiskula for a wide ranging conversation on the league’s recent growth, Swoopes’ top takeaways from this Finals series so far, and even her prediction as to who will win it all. Trust us — you don’t want to miss this.

A big thank you to our friends at Aflac for powering today’s episode! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the gap that health insurance leaves behind. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.