Carolina Blaze opener in Durham represents growth of softball, women’s sports
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- AUSL Carolina Blaze opened its season at Smith Family Stadium in Durham.
- Carolina Blaze won the opener 4-1 in front of a sold-out, enthusiastic home crowd.
- Fans received free ice cream, face painting, hair braiding, crafts and autographs.
ESPN reported at 1 p.m. Tuesday the Women’s College World Series received its highest viewership numbers in history. The Carolina Blaze hosted its first game in Durham four hours later, and opening day reflected the upward trend.
The Blaze, part of Athletes Unlimited Softball League, opened its season at Smith Family Stadium, home of Duke softball. Game 1 against the Portland Cascade was a culmination of work over the last year to bring professional softball to the Triangle.
“It’s moments like these where we have unique opportunities to bring everyone together,” Durham Sports Commission Executive Director Marcus Manning said. “We couldn’t be more thankful ... it’s a historic moment. It’s a historic day.”
But opening day wasn’t only about a game, the league’s new city-based model or the ripe sports culture in the region. It also represented an investment in women’s sports and a commitment to empowerment from childhood to adulthood.
“Back when I played pro, we had a salary cap of $100,000 for the entire team, and some of us didn’t get paid,” Cascade head coach Tairia Flowers said. “We were riding in a limo with the entire team, with our bat bags on our lap, trying to get from game to game. Watching what it is now, I am thrilled that they have this opportunity. … I couldn’t even imagine it 20 years ago when I was on the field. These women understand that they have a great opportunity in front of them, and they are making the most of it.”
The game day environment was designed for everyone, though it leaned into the interests for its largely female audience.
Signage around the stadium highlighted women’s sports pioneers in multiple sports — including North Carolina soccer great Mia Hamm and late Tennessee’s women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt — and books by female authors. Even the promotional reads by the public address announcer focused on the needs and interests of girls and women.
Fans received free ice cream from Two Roosters, the North Carolina-based company, face painting, hair braiding and sparkly crafts. They could even write notes to the team or their favorite players. Former Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens was a favorite.
“Dear Karlyn, I look up to you, and you are one of my favorite softball players,” one fan wrote in pink glitter marker.
Then, two dozen players from youth organizations participated in a pregame parade around the edge of the field, too, earning applause from attendees and players from both teams.
There was an element of community, too. Fans wore Duke, Florida, Clemson and Tennessee gear — a nod to the players’ alma maters. Blaze fans cheered for Cascade players, with Sam Landry (Oklahoma) and Kelly Torres (Duke) receiving some of the biggest cheers. Portland fans cheered for Blaze players.
“I think that’s when you know your game is growing,” Flowers said. “They know names and not just like, ‘Oh, I only like the team where I live.’”
The players themselves embraced the opportunity to compete with their teammates again, even if they were in opposite dugouts. Torres hugged Jala Wright and Ana Gold at home plate. Pickens and Aubrey Leach spent a few minutes with Payton Gottshall, who plays for the Cascade, before first pitch.
That was all before the game. The stands and large chunks of the outfield were full when Aleshia Ocasio threw out the first pitch. They stayed that way through the final out. Some fans had the opportunity to take photos and receive autographs from players, while others got to run the bases.
It was clear: If there were any lingering questions about support for the Blaze or the growth of the sport, those were put to bed. And, hey, Carolina picked up a 4-1 win.
“It was great to have a sold-out crowd on opening day, for being this our first home base with the AUSL,” said Blaze head coach Kara Dill. “I do think this fan base is going to be electric. You can tell that they understand the game of softball. I think [we’re] just trying to figure out how we’re going to interact with those fans and give them a space where they can cheer and they can give us a home field advantage. … That’s what we’re trying to create here in Durham. I feel like we have the fan base that can do that. We’re just going to keep winning. We’re going to make it happen.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 5:15 AM with the headline "Carolina Blaze opener in Durham represents growth of softball, women’s sports."
