Saturday, April 18
Gainesville, Fla.
3 p.m.
Florida Gators
42-6, 0
0
vs
4
Auburn
24-20, 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Auburn
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
4
5
0
FLORIDA
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
Jocelyn Erickson (right) and Kenleigh Cahalan share an embrace after their AUSL Golden Ticket delivery Saturday.
Golden Moment for Erickson, Cahalan
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | Softball, Chris Harry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – They had some golden opportunities to rally Saturday, but the fourth-ranked Florida Gators eventually had to settle for a couple Golden Tickets.
Not a bad consolation prize, actually.
Mere minutes after Auburn squeezed a fly ball for the final out of its 4-0 victory, the mood at Pressly Stadium took a 180-degree turn when the public-address announcer asked the crowd to stick around and turn its focus to the outfield, where AJ Anderson, host of the MLB Network show "Play Ball," was strolling with microphone in hand.
Anderson had in her other hand a golden piece of paper, instantly putting the huddled Gators in anticipation and hype mode. That they'd gone 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and been shut out at home for the first time in more than two years did not matter. There would be time to process that before Sunday's Game 3.
That's when Anderson, repping the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, announced that senior Jocelyn Erickson was the recipient of the Golden Ticket, signaling she'd been selected in the AUSL's 2026 collegiate draft. And before the excitement for the team's leader and respected stalwart had subsided, Anderson pulled out a second ticket, much to the surprise of everyone in the house.
Kenleigh Cahalan, come on down!
More cheers, more jubilation.
"I had no idea," said Cahalan, the shortstop in her second season since transferring from Alabama and hitting .392 with 15 homers and 59 RBI. "I didn't think we were going to get two. I thought we'd be one-and-done, 'cause Jocelyn has been killing in for four years. Her whole career."
She's killing it more than ever in 2026. Erickson, the lefty catcher and two-time All American in her third season since coming from Oklahoma, is batting a career-best .435 and chasing the UF single-season home run record with 19. She was named the nation's Golden Glove catcher the last two years and is in contention for making in three in row.
If she doesn't get the Golden Glove, she'll still have that Golden Ticket.
"The University of Florida changed my life forever," Erickson said post-game, fighting back some understandable tears. "I've met so many amazing people here and would not change a thing about my journey. They've impacted my life in so many ways, on and off the field. I would not be the person or the leader or the friend I am now we're it not for them."
As much as the moment meant to Erickson, it obviously meant as much to her teammates. Ditto, the affection they rained on Cahalan. The two were honored pregame, along with Kendall Grover and Giulia Desiderio, as part of customary "Senior Day" ceremonies. Their families (Erickson's from Phoenix; Cahlan's from Trussville, Alabama) were in the house, as well, making the setting all the better.
The emotional scene was reminiscent of a year ago when All-American outfielder Korbe Otis got ticketed.
For Anderson, who starred at LSU and went on to play professionally for two seasons, delivering the message – and the joy – had a rewarding feel of its own.
"As someone who was in their position playing college ball and thinking it's something that can't possibly happen, to know instantaneously you are recognized, respected and someone people want to watch be elevated to the next level, that's amazing," Anderson said. "Women's sports is only getting bigger and better and it's so exciting watching these women be a part of that bigger and better."
And a pretty good way to turn a loss into a win.
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu. Find his story archives here.
Not a bad consolation prize, actually.
Mere minutes after Auburn squeezed a fly ball for the final out of its 4-0 victory, the mood at Pressly Stadium took a 180-degree turn when the public-address announcer asked the crowd to stick around and turn its focus to the outfield, where AJ Anderson, host of the MLB Network show "Play Ball," was strolling with microphone in hand.
Anderson had in her other hand a golden piece of paper, instantly putting the huddled Gators in anticipation and hype mode. That they'd gone 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and been shut out at home for the first time in more than two years did not matter. There would be time to process that before Sunday's Game 3.
That's when Anderson, repping the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, announced that senior Jocelyn Erickson was the recipient of the Golden Ticket, signaling she'd been selected in the AUSL's 2026 collegiate draft. And before the excitement for the team's leader and respected stalwart had subsided, Anderson pulled out a second ticket, much to the surprise of everyone in the house.
Kenleigh Cahalan, come on down!
More cheers, more jubilation.
Golden, but make it a duo ✨
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) April 18, 2026
Jocelyn Erickson and Kenleigh Cahalan have both received a golden ticket to be drafted into the AUSL! pic.twitter.com/3mkkApaG8d
"I had no idea," said Cahalan, the shortstop in her second season since transferring from Alabama and hitting .392 with 15 homers and 59 RBI. "I didn't think we were going to get two. I thought we'd be one-and-done, 'cause Jocelyn has been killing in for four years. Her whole career."
She's killing it more than ever in 2026. Erickson, the lefty catcher and two-time All American in her third season since coming from Oklahoma, is batting a career-best .435 and chasing the UF single-season home run record with 19. She was named the nation's Golden Glove catcher the last two years and is in contention for making in three in row.
If she doesn't get the Golden Glove, she'll still have that Golden Ticket.
"The University of Florida changed my life forever," Erickson said post-game, fighting back some understandable tears. "I've met so many amazing people here and would not change a thing about my journey. They've impacted my life in so many ways, on and off the field. I would not be the person or the leader or the friend I am now we're it not for them."
Kenleigh Cahalan is GOLDEN 🤩
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) April 18, 2026
congratulations Kenleigh on receiving the 11th golden ticket! 🎫 pic.twitter.com/PCqFRpIh62
As much as the moment meant to Erickson, it obviously meant as much to her teammates. Ditto, the affection they rained on Cahalan. The two were honored pregame, along with Kendall Grover and Giulia Desiderio, as part of customary "Senior Day" ceremonies. Their families (Erickson's from Phoenix; Cahlan's from Trussville, Alabama) were in the house, as well, making the setting all the better.
The emotional scene was reminiscent of a year ago when All-American outfielder Korbe Otis got ticketed.
For Anderson, who starred at LSU and went on to play professionally for two seasons, delivering the message – and the joy – had a rewarding feel of its own.
"As someone who was in their position playing college ball and thinking it's something that can't possibly happen, to know instantaneously you are recognized, respected and someone people want to watch be elevated to the next level, that's amazing," Anderson said. "Women's sports is only getting bigger and better and it's so exciting watching these women be a part of that bigger and better."
And a pretty good way to turn a loss into a win.
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu. Find his story archives here.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ella Harrison (11-0)
L: Stevens, Leah (4-1)
Batting:
HR: Ma'Nia Womack 1
RBI: Ma'Nia Womack 2 ; Ava Ratliff 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Haven Roebuck 1 ; AnnaLea Adams 1 ; Ma'Nia Womack 2
HBP: McKaela Walker 1
Batting:
2B: Cahalan, Kenleigh 1 ; Thomas, Townsen 1
Base Running:
SB: Grover, Kendall 2
HBP: Shumaker, Taylor 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
3
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
OF
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