Razorbacks slugger caps breakout season with third-round selection, joining a rising wave of talent reshaping professional softball.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. | Arkansas outfielder Dakota Kennedy has officially taken the next step in her softball career, selected by the Carolina Blaze with the fourth pick in the third round of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) College Draft on Monday night.
Kennedy’s selection underscores a dominant senior campaign that made her one of the most dangerous bats in the SEC. In her lone season with Arkansas, the Sacramento native delivered a .343 batting average with 46 hits, including 14 home runs and 43 RBIs — both career highs. Her power production tied for the team lead in homers, while her consistency showed in 12 multi-hit and 12 multi-RBI performances.
Her season résumé included headline-grabbing moments, notably a three-home-run, five-RBI explosion against Kansas on March 1 and a seven-RBI performance at Alabama that featured both a grand slam and a solo shot — performances that solidified her draft stock.
Kennedy joins a strong Carolina Blaze draft class alongside top selections like Karlyn Pickens and Reese Atwood, signaling the franchise’s commitment to building a competitive roster ahead of the 2026 season.
The AUSL, under Commissioner Kim Ng, continues to expand its footprint as a premier destination for elite softball talent. Entering its second season under a traditional team format, the league will feature six teams competing in a 24-game schedule beginning June 9. Kennedy is expected to make her professional debut when the Blaze open against the Portland Cascade in Durham, North Carolina.

