CONTENT CREATION

Welcome back to Out of Left Field — today I’m joined by one of the most impactful voices in softball, Team Mexico Olympian, AUSL veteran, and ESPN/SEC Network analyst, Tori Vidales. In this episode, Tori opens up about: Her rise from Texas A&M to international softball Playing for Team Mexico, battles behind the scenes, and qualifying for the Olympics The wild early years of Athletes Unlimited/AUSL, the “Buy In or Retire” era What really happens in the AUSL draft room The mental side of softball: pressure, identity, confidence, and resilience Why she believes softball is finally in its breakthrough era How being an analyst makes her a better player (and vice versa) The importance of athletes building their own brand Her message to the next generation of softball players This is one of the most insightful and honest conversations we’ve ever had on OLF — and if you’re a softball fan, player, parent, or coach, this one will stick with you. FOLLOW US ➡️ Abby Alonzo Instagram: @abbigailalonzo TikTok: @aalonz0 ➡️ Tori Vidales Instagram: @vidalestori ➡️ Out of Left Field (OLF) Instagram: @olfmedia TikTok: @outofleftfieldmedia CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 00:32 – Who Is Tori Vidales? 02:00 – Identity Beyond Softball 02:50 – Tori’s Origin Story 05:40 – Travel Ball, Impact Gold & Recruiting at 14 08:40 – Committing to Texas A&M 10:50 – Building A&M Back to the Women’s College World Series 12:40 – Going Undrafted & Finding Pro Softball 14:50 – Team Mexico, Behind-the-Scenes Turmoil & Olympic Qualifying 18:40 – COVID Season, AU Year One & “Buy In or Retire” 23:20 – Playing Without Fans & Creating Team Culture 26:40 – AUSL Growth, Media, & What Makes This League Different 31:30 – Media Team Appreciation + Why Storytelling Matters 35:00 – Tori’s Life as an ESPN/SEC Network Analyst 37:40 – Balancing Broadcast & Being a Pro Athlete 41:00 – The Mental Side of Broadcasting 45:00 – Mentoring Younger Players 47:00 – Draft Night, Being Selected by the Cascade 52:00 – Leaving the Talons & Building Something New 55:30 – The Mindset That Saved Her Career 01:00:20 – Tori’s Message to Young Athletes 01:02:30 – Closing, Gratitude, and Next Steps

AUSL catcher and former Florida State standout Michaela Edenfield sits down for one of the most honest conversations Abby Alonzo has had on Out of Left Field. We dive into topics athletes rarely feel safe talking about publicly: • confidence vs. insecurity • bullying and identity • balancing femininity (makeup, beauty) and elite performance • mental health, emotional regulation, vulnerability • the pressure of early recruiting • NIL chaos and the modern athlete experience • how FSU’s culture shaped her • the AUSL expansion, the Spark joining, and what Kim Ng brings to the sport • why this era is different for women’s softball • how Michaela finally decided she was good enough to play professionally This conversation goes far beyond softball — it’s about growth, self-worth, and learning how to become yourself in a world that tries to shape you. If you care about women’s sports, athlete mental health, softball development, or the future of the AUSL, this episode is a must-watch. New episodes every Thursday. Subscribe for more interviews with AUSL players, NCAA stars, and leaders shaping the future of women’s softball - https://www.youtube.com/@OutOfLeftFieldOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW OLF: Instagram — @olfmedia TikTok — @outofleftfieldmedia YouTube — Out of Left Field FOLLOW ABBY ALONZO: Instagram -- @abbigailalonzo Tiktok -- @abbyalonz0 CONTACT: outofleftfieldmedia@gmail.com #AUSL #MichaelaEdenfield #Softball

Former Tennessee Lady Vol Payton Gottshall pulls back the curtain on what professional softball actually looks like: bouncing between leagues and countries (Mexico, Netherlands, Taiwan), 60-hour travel days, and why Mexico’s fan culture is unmatched. We also dive into the AUSL x ESPN/ABC deal and what city-based teams mean for players and fans in 2026. Plus: how the transfer from Bowling Green to Tennessee changed her career, team culture, 1,000 Ks, and the mental switch that unlocked her best pitching. What we cover: -How pro softball works when the U.S. season is short -Playing in Mexico, the Netherlands, and Taiwan (and surviving 60 hours of travel) -Why Mexico’s stadium crowds feel different -AUSL is moving to city-based teams + ESPN multi-year deal (Championship on ABC) -Transferring to Tennessee: culture, “the program,” and hitting 1,000 strikeouts -Advice to the next generation: trust your identity About OLF: Out of Left Field is “softball, unfiltered.” Weekly interviews with the athletes, coaches, and creators growing the game. Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@OutOfLeftFieldOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Payton Gottshall on IG: @P.Gott Follow Abby Alonzo on IG: @AbbigailAlonzo #AUSL #PaytonGottshall #Softball

UCLA national champion, Team USA alum, and entrepreneur Paige Halstead joins Out of Left Field to talk about her journey from winning a natty at UCLA to building her own lane in softball — as a broadcaster, creator, and business owner. Paige opens up about how she helped design gear for All-Star Catching, the company redefining equipment for female athletes, and why she and her fiancé started PrepBranding, a platform teaching athletes how to use social media to build their personal brands and create opportunities beyond the field. Hosted by Abby Alonzo, this episode dives into how today’s players can think like pros — on the business side of softball and beyond. 🎙 Topics Covered: UCLA’s national championship run Paige’s journey from player to entrepreneur The creation of All-Star Catching gear How PrepBranding empowers athletes through social media Balancing identity, purpose, and business after softball #OutOfLeftField #PaigeHalstead #Softball #WomensSports #UCLA #AthleteBranding #AllStarCatching #PrepBranding #SportsBusiness #NIL #FemaleAthletes #SportsMedia

Tennessee Softball star Karlyn Pickens — the two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, Team USA athlete, and owner of the fastest pitch in college softball (79.4 MPH) — joins Abby Alonzo on Out of Left Field to talk about breaking records, leadership, NIL, and finding her “why.” Recorded inside Tennessee’s Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, Karlyn opens up about growing up in North Carolina, choosing the Lady Vols, working with Aubrey Leach, joining Team USA Softball, and learning how to play free and inspire the next generation of athletes. 🎙️ Out of Left Field dives into the stories and mindsets shaping softball and women’s sports — featuring the game’s biggest names and rising stars. Chapters 00:00 Intro — Knoxville & Tennessee softball vibes 01:02 Growing up in North Carolina & multi-sport roots 02:20 Travel ball memories & dad on the bucket 03:48 Becoming a pitcher & meeting her first coach 05:00 Recruiting through COVID & why Tennessee 07:24 NIL & social media — protecting your peace 09:20 Finding her why & inspiring young players 10:20 Breaking her own velocity record (79.4 MPH) 12:52 Pitching mechanics & control for young arms 13:59 Senior season goals & leadership growth 15:38 Team USA Softball with Aubrey Leach 17:37 Advice for young softball players — play free Follow @olfmedia on Instagram! #KarlynPickens #TennesseeSoftball #CollegeSoftball

Team Canada catcher Natalie Wideman joins Abby Alonzo for a powerful, unfiltered conversation on Out of Left Field. A 14-year veteran, Olympic medalist, and founder of Unedited Self Co, Natalie opens up about: -The early days of chasing an Olympic dream -Overcoming fear and self-doubt as a female athlete -Building her brand and community through vulnerability -The growth of women’s softball and MLB’s investment in AUSL -Balancing entrepreneurship, marriage, and Team Canada life -Her upcoming journey to play pro ball in Mexico This episode is about more than softball. It’s about self-belief, balance, and embracing the uncomfortable to become your best self. Hosted by Abby Alonzo, Editor-in-Chief of Business of Ball and founder of Out of Left Field. 📍 Watch more episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_WhvD442iLTgIRgR6NfbVJX5R7tEURRM&si=RbNSINI53sQulwhl Follow Natalie: @nataliewideman Follow Abby: @abbigailalonzo Follow Out of Left Field: @olfmedia #OutOfLeftField #Softball #WomenInSports #NatalieWideman #TeamCanada #AUSL #MLB #WomenEmpowerment #UneditedSelf #Fearless #SportsMedia #AthleteMindset

In this deep-dive interview, Abby Alonzo sits down with Ali Newland (former LSU outfielder, current AUSL player and Nationals Home Run Derby X team member) to talk about her path, mindset, and experiences. What's covered: • How MLB's Home Run Derby X works — setup, format, MLB’s backing, and how Ali got selected • Her time on the Nationals team — her teammates, collaboration, and what made that squad special • The importance of MLB's support for the AUSL and what it means for women’s softball • Her present role at NC State with former LSU assistant Lindsey Leftwich • The power of failure, resilience, and continuously striving to be your best • Playing alongside former LSU Tigers in her first AUSL season If you’re into softball, female athletes, mindset, or just great stories of growth — you’ll want to catch this. Subscribe for more softball interviews, behind-the-scenes sports stories, and mindset content 👍 Like & Share if you enjoy this conversation 💬 Drop a comment below: what’s one lesson from this video that resonates with you? About Ali Newland: Former LSU outfielder turned AUSL pro, Ali recently competed in MLB's Home Run Derby X. She now works at NC State with Lindsey Leftwich and remains a vocal advocate for growth, resilience, and advancing women’s softball. 🎧 Follow us on: • Instagram: @olfmedia • Facebook: @outofleftfield #AliNewland #HomeRunDerbyX #AUSL #WomenInSports #SoftballJourney #AthleteMindset #GrowthMindset #SportsInterview

Sierra Sacco has one of the most remarkable journeys in softball. In this exclusive Out of Left Field interview, Sierra opens up about her path from Louisiana Tech to Mississippi State, why she chose to bet on herself in the transfer portal, and how that decision shaped her career. Sacco reflects on her two perfect defensive seasons at Mississippi State, her relentless work ethic, and how she became a difference-maker in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). In her rookie year, she earned a coveted golden ticket, won the first-ever AUSL Championship, and was selected to the All-Defensive Team. Abby Alonzo and Sierra also rewind to their days of playing travel ball together and facing off in high school, sharing stories that show just how far she’s come. Off the field, Sierra shares details about her engagement and wedding planning, giving fans a look at the person behind the player. This sit-down captures the full picture of an athlete who embodies resilience, consistency, and personality. Whether you follow Mississippi State softball, track the growth of the AUSL, or just love hearing athletes’ unfiltered stories, Sierra Sacco’s interview is a must-watch. 📺 Watch more softball interviews here:! Subscribe to Out of Left Field for weekly softball interviews, AUSL coverage, and stories from across women’s sports.