DRAFT PICKS

New York, N.Y.--  Former McNeese two-time NFCA All-American Erika Piancastelli was selected as the 29^th overall pick Wednesday night by the Volts in the AUSL Inaugural Draft.
 
Piancastelli, the most decorated female athlete in McNeese history played for the Cowgirls from 2015-2018 where she was a four-time Southland Conference Player and Hitter of the Year.  She holds nine McNeese career records including homeruns RBI, doubles, and batting average. 
 
Piancastelli, who recently completed her fifth season in the Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship season, became the league's career homerun leader with 18 career homeruns.
 
In her five seasons with AU, Piancastelli has played in 75 games with 64 hits, 18 homeruns, 48
RBI with a .288 batting average and a .581 slugging percent. 
 
In all, each team selected the first 12 players for their 16-player rosters. The four remaining roster spots were filled with the incoming class of the top NCAA talent who will finish their eligibility in May, as well as one free agent pick for each club.
 
The 48 players selected include Olympians, Team USA veterans, national champions and All-Americans. Of the 48 players drafted, 14 are pitchers, along with four catchers, 16 infielders, 11 outfielders and three utility players.
 
Launching in 2025, the AUSL will feature four teams playing a 24-game season (48 total games) in a traditional format.  It will be followed by the AUSL All-Star Cup (formerly known as the AU Pro Softball Championship Season).
 
The AUSL will become a city-bases league beginning in 2026, while the inaugural 2025 season will be a touring property featuring games in six to eight different cities.