Athletes Unlimited Signs Kathryn Sandercock

Summer Softball D1Softball Staff - June 20, 2023

With the top two picks in this year’s college draft already impressing in their AUX debuts, Athletes Unlimited announced Wednesday it has signed Team USA and former Florida State All-American pitcher Kathryn Sandercock for the upcoming championship season. 

Sandercock was the No. 5 pick in this year’s Athletes Unlimited college draft, which spans both the short-season AUX and extended championship competition later in the summer. But coming off an appearance in the Women’s College World Series championship series with Florida State, Sandercock wasn’t part of the AUX lineup that began play just a few days later. She will now make her pro debut when the championship season begins July 28 in Rosemont, Illinois. 

One interesting bit of additional news included in the league’s release is that Sandercock will compete with Team USA in Group A of the WBSC World Cup qualifying tournament, July 11-15. She hadn’t previously been officially announced as a replacement for Heather Tarr’s roster.

No. 1 overall pick Sydney McKinney is hitting .417 with a .481 OBP through her first 24 AUX at-bats, while No. 2 pick Megan Faraimo is second in the league with a 3.50 ERA through 18 innings. McKinney is 13th on the overall leaderboard, while Faraimo is ninth. The AUX season concludes next week.

A 2023 D1Softball first-team All-American, Sandercock was 28-4 with a 1.12 ERA this past season and 107-12 with a 1.44 in her NCAA career. Used extensively as a starter, stopper and closer this past season, she is well suited to a professional environment built around using full pitching staffs.

Terms were not disclosed. Players in the AU universe receive a base salary, with additional compensation determined by their finish on the overall leaderboard. 

Faraimo and McKinney are also signed for the championship season. Those two and Sandercock are currently the only members of the 14-player draft class under contract. No. 3 overall pick Kayla Kowalik signed with the WPF’s USSSA Pride, while No. 6 pick Baylee Klingler signed with the WPF’s Texas Smoke. Former Alabama All-American and Honda Award winner for softball Montana Fouts, injured during the SEC tournament and previously committed to Team USA’s summer rosters, has yet to sign with either professional organization.