ST. PETERSBURG -- Thousands filed through the gates behind home plate before Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday evening, knowing they might witness a trophy being raised.

But a select few attendees have already been crowned as champions: the women who moved through the concourse wearing green satin Utah Talons jackets.

The winners of back-to-back Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) titles, the Talons were set to be recognized at Tropicana Field during Game 4 between the Brewers and Rays, celebrating their on-field achievements as well as the continued growth and visibility of women’s professional softball.

“It’s such an honor,” said Montana Fouts, the Talons’ ace and the AUSL Pitcher of the Year. “I’ve never been to the World Series; never been to a postseason baseball game. To be able to be here and celebrate our team and our season, I feel like it just says a lot about the growth of softball.”

ATHLETES UNLIMITED SOFTBALL LEAGUE

Fouts posted a 7-4 record and a 2.36 ERA in 11 games (nine starts) this past year, striking out 63 batters in 62 1/3 innings.

The Grayson, Ky., product said she was thrilled to have the opportunity to play professionally after her collegiate softball career at the University of Alabama, something she wouldn’t have envisioned just a few years ago.

“We’re on TV every day in the summer, and you see little girls with your jersey on, saying they want to be professional softball players,” Fouts said. “That was never the case. I just feel like we’ve grown a lot, and it’s just going to continue to grow. Being on TV, the ESPN deals and having the backing from MLB has just been huge.”

The AUSL launched in June 2025, featuring six teams playing a 25-game season in a traditional format: the Chicago Bandits, Carolina Blaze, Oklahoma City Spark, Portland Cascade, Texas Volts and the Talons.

Utah swept the Bandits in two games to win the championship this past July, with Jadelyn Allchin securing Finals MVP.

“It’s great softball, and it’s great people,” Fouts said. “I really feel like they care not only about the production on the field, but making sure that we’re having a great time. They care about fan interaction. It’s a great production.”

Fouts said the team learned of its World Series invitation about a month ago, which gave her a reason to track the Major League postseason closely.

“We don’t get to see each other in the offseason, so it’s been really cool to see everybody and catch up,” she said. “I see a lot of people have the rings on from the [2025] championship. It’s just really awesome to be recognized on this kind of stage for winning, and I feel like the best is yet to come, for sure.”