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Gold Selected by Blaze in Inaugural AUSL Draft
5/3/2025 10:25:00 PM | Softball
DURHAM, N.C. – After receiving one of 12 golden tickets to the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), Duke softball senior Ana Gold was selected by the Blaze as the ninth overall pick in the 2025 AUSL Draft.
The Ballston Spa, N.Y., native has played a key part in the Blue Devils' success on offense during her four seasons. She has seen action in 225 games, earning 223 starts, and owns a .311 career batting average. In her final season, Gold has tallied career-highs in hits (58), runs scored (55) and stolen bases (19). She is one of just three players to start all 52 games of the regular season and leads the team in stolen bases and home runs (13).
She has rewritten Duke's record books, as she became the first Blue Devil to send out two grand slams in a game while setting the single-game RBI record with eight against North Dakota State last season. Gold helped lead Duke to its first Women's College World Series appearance in 2024 and scored the Blue Devils' lone run against No. 14 Alabama with a solo home run to left center field.
As a sophomore, Gold blasted 19 home runs on the year to set the single-season home runs record. She also currently holds the program's career home runs record with 51 long balls and counting.
The senior has collected numerous accolades both on and off the field during her time with the Blue Devils. She is a two-time All-ACC selection, earning first team honors in 2023 and third team recognition in 2022, along with a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team. She was named to the NFCA All-Region Third Team in 2023 and earned ACC All-Tournament honors in 2024. In the classroom, Gold has garnered both All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll recognition.
In all, the 12 student-athletes in the 2025 AUSL College Draft class represent 10 schools across three conferences with seven from the SEC, four from the ACC and one from the Big 12. Gold joined Virginia Tech's Emma Lemley and Cori McMillan and Florida State's Michaela Edenfield as the four ACC selections.
Launching in June, the AUSL is a professional softball league featuring four teams - the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts - playing a 24-game season in a traditional format between June 7 and July 23. Following the season, the top two teams will compete in the AUSL Championship, a best-of-three series to be held July 26-28 at the University of Alabama's Rhoads Stadium.
Following the AUSL Championship, 60 players will compete for an individual championship in the AUSL All-Star Cup, a 24-game competition in August featuring the innovative Athletes Unlimited scoring system.
2025 Draft Results
Round 1
1. Volts | Sam Landry, Pitcher, Oklahoma
2. Talons | Bri Ellis, Corner Infielder, Arkansas
3. Blaze | Emma Lemley, Pitcher, Virginia Tech
4. Bandits | Cori McMillan, Utility, Virginia Tech
Round 2
5. Talons | Sierra Sacco, Outfielder, Mississippi State
6. Blaze | Korbe Otis, Outfielder, Florida
7. Bandits | Emiley Kennedy, Pitcher, Texas A&M
8. Volts | Michaela Edenfield, Catcher, FSU
Round 3
9. Blaze | Ana Gold, Middle Infielder, Duke
10. Bandits | Devyn Netz, Pitcher, Arizona
11. Volts | Danieca Coffey, Utility, LSU
12. Talons | Raelin Chaffin, Pitcher, Mississippi State
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
The Ballston Spa, N.Y., native has played a key part in the Blue Devils' success on offense during her four seasons. She has seen action in 225 games, earning 223 starts, and owns a .311 career batting average. In her final season, Gold has tallied career-highs in hits (58), runs scored (55) and stolen bases (19). She is one of just three players to start all 52 games of the regular season and leads the team in stolen bases and home runs (13).
She has rewritten Duke's record books, as she became the first Blue Devil to send out two grand slams in a game while setting the single-game RBI record with eight against North Dakota State last season. Gold helped lead Duke to its first Women's College World Series appearance in 2024 and scored the Blue Devils' lone run against No. 14 Alabama with a solo home run to left center field.
As a sophomore, Gold blasted 19 home runs on the year to set the single-season home runs record. She also currently holds the program's career home runs record with 51 long balls and counting.
The senior has collected numerous accolades both on and off the field during her time with the Blue Devils. She is a two-time All-ACC selection, earning first team honors in 2023 and third team recognition in 2022, along with a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team. She was named to the NFCA All-Region Third Team in 2023 and earned ACC All-Tournament honors in 2024. In the classroom, Gold has garnered both All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll recognition.
In all, the 12 student-athletes in the 2025 AUSL College Draft class represent 10 schools across three conferences with seven from the SEC, four from the ACC and one from the Big 12. Gold joined Virginia Tech's Emma Lemley and Cori McMillan and Florida State's Michaela Edenfield as the four ACC selections.
Launching in June, the AUSL is a professional softball league featuring four teams - the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts - playing a 24-game season in a traditional format between June 7 and July 23. Following the season, the top two teams will compete in the AUSL Championship, a best-of-three series to be held July 26-28 at the University of Alabama's Rhoads Stadium.
Following the AUSL Championship, 60 players will compete for an individual championship in the AUSL All-Star Cup, a 24-game competition in August featuring the innovative Athletes Unlimited scoring system.
2025 Draft Results
Round 1
1. Volts | Sam Landry, Pitcher, Oklahoma
2. Talons | Bri Ellis, Corner Infielder, Arkansas
3. Blaze | Emma Lemley, Pitcher, Virginia Tech
4. Bandits | Cori McMillan, Utility, Virginia Tech
Round 2
5. Talons | Sierra Sacco, Outfielder, Mississippi State
6. Blaze | Korbe Otis, Outfielder, Florida
7. Bandits | Emiley Kennedy, Pitcher, Texas A&M
8. Volts | Michaela Edenfield, Catcher, FSU
Round 3
9. Blaze | Ana Gold, Middle Infielder, Duke
10. Bandits | Devyn Netz, Pitcher, Arizona
11. Volts | Danieca Coffey, Utility, LSU
12. Talons | Raelin Chaffin, Pitcher, Mississippi State
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
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