As the professional softball world turns its attention to Salt Lake City this week, it’s more than just another stop on the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) tour — it’s a homecoming.
Several former University of Utah softball stars suited up at Dumke Family Stadium for a high-stakes, four-day series that ran July 16-19. With the league nearing the end of its inaugural season, this local series isn’t just crucial for playoff seeding — it’s a celebration of Utah’s growing influence on the game at the highest level.
From the U to the Pros
Headlining the list of returning alumni is Hannah Flippen, arguably the most decorated player in Utah softball history. A three-time All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year, Flippen now plays professionally for the Talons, one of AUSL’s top teams.
Joining her in the series is fellow Utah alum Anissa Urtez, who plays for the Blaze. Urtez, a four-year starter for the Utes from 2014 to 2017, gained international acclaim when she represented Team Mexico at the Tokyo Olympics and hit the country’s first-ever home run in Olympic softball history.
Mariah Lopez, another Utah graduate and current Talons pitcher, has also returned to Salt Lake City this week. Lopez provides critical depth for a pitching rotation that’s helped the Talons rise to the top of the league standings.
Utes in the Dugout
Utah’s presence isn’t limited to the field. Courtney Martinez, associate head coach of Utah softball, is spending the summer in the pros as part of the Bandits coaching staff. Martinez, who joined AUSL earlier this year, has helped develop Utah’s hitters in recent seasons and brings that same insight to the pro level.
Also worth noting: Paige Sinicki, a current Talons infielder and former Oregon standout, was recently hired as a graduate assistant coach for Utah’s program. Though her playing roots lie elsewhere, Sinicki’s presence strengthens the already-tight ties between the AUSL and the U.
What This Week Means
This is the AUSL’s first-ever stop in Salt Lake City, part of a 10-city tour designed to bring professional women’s softball to a wider national audience. For the University of Utah and its fans, the series is a rare opportunity to see former Utes compete at the highest level — on the very field where many of them built their legacies.
The AUSL season ends July 23, with a championship series to follow in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. But for Utah fans, this week’s games carry their own significance. Watching Flippen and Urtez turn double plays or Lopez command the circle doesn’t just offer nostalgia — it shows the next generation of players what’s possible.
The Bigger Picture
Utah’s role in this moment isn’t accidental. The program has quietly become a pipeline for elite softball talent, and its presence in the AUSL — both on the roster and in the coaching staff — is evidence of that growth.
As Utah softball moves into the Big 12 era and continues to raise its national profile, the impact of its alumni at the professional level is becoming more visible. This week, it’s been on full display right here at home.
