Credit: AUSL ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball History was made at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois on Saturday, as the Bandits beat the Talons 3-1 in the first-ever game played in Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) history. In a sold-out crowd of 2,013 attendees, the support for the new league was overwhelming as several moments went down in the history books. As the home team, the Bandits checked off several significant boxes. Lexi K

Credit: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball For the first time in program history, the Texas Longhorns are National Champions. A five-run first inning, a grand slam from Mia Scott, and a lights-out performance by Teagan Kavan in the circle propelled the Longhorns to the 10-4 win over the Red Raiders. Reese Atwood started it all. The Longhorns' best hitter had the worst batting average of the team d

Credit: Texas Tech Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Opportunities that opened up late in the fifth and sixth innings for Texas Tech to score and another phenomenal performance in the circle from NiJaree Canady, led the Red Raiders to a 4-3 win over the Longhorns, forcing the if-necessary Game 3. Similar to Game 1, both circles were dealing with excellent defense behind to keep the scoreboard at zeros until bats awoke late in the contest. Mac Morgan