From Sooner Star to Pro Mound: Sam Landry Officially Joins Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s Volts, Setting the Stage for an Electrifying Professional Debut
The roar of the Women’s College World Series had barely faded, and the dust was still settling on Oklahoma’s remarkable season, when one of its brightest stars officially charted her course for the next chapter of her softball journey. Sam Landry, the formidable right-handed pitcher who became a linchpin of the Sooners’ rotation in her lone year in Norman, has officially signed her professional contract with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Volts. Her signing marks not only a significant milestone in her burgeoning career but also underscores the exciting evolution of professional softball, with the AUSL poised to redefine the landscape of the sport.
Landry’s path to professional softball has been nothing short of exceptional, culminating in her being the first overall pick in the 2025 AUSL College Draft. This prestigious selection, announced in early May, signaled the league’s high regard for her talent, poise, and proven ability to dominate from the circle. While the initial thought of going pro wasn’t a driving force for Landry before her arrival at Oklahoma, her transformative experience with the Sooners evidently ignited a new passion and broadened her horizons. As she eloquently put it after receiving her “golden ticket” to the draft, “Getting here and just falling in love with the sport again and being able to strengthen my strengths, I guess. It’s really made me more interested in doing it.” This newfound zeal, coupled with her undeniable skill, paved the way for her professional aspirations.
Her single season in the crimson and cream was nothing short of spectacular. Landry quickly established herself as the ace of the Oklahoma pitching staff, stepping into a crucial role and exceeding all expectations. She finished her senior year with an impressive 25-6 record, boasting a stellar 1.94 ERA and fanning 186 batters. Her durability was evident as she logged 19 complete games and six shutouts, consistently holding opposing hitters to a paltry .207 batting average. From throwing a perfect game to delivering gritty, high-pitch-count performances in the pressure cooker of the WCWS, Landry showcased a remarkable blend of power, control, and mental fortitude. She was deservedly recognized for her outstanding contributions, earning NFCA Second Team All-American honors and being named a First-Team All-American by Softball America. These accolades, combined with her earlier success at Louisiana-Lafayette, where she compiled a career record of 88-25 with a 2.07 ERA and 646 strikeouts over 154 appearances, painted a clear picture of a pitcher ready for the next level.
The AUSL, now entering its inaugural season in a traditional team-based format, represents a bold new chapter for professional softball. Unlike the Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship Season (now known as the AUSL All-Star Cup), which has historically featured a unique individual-points-based competition, the AUSL is embracing a more conventional league structure with four established teams: the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts. This shift aims to foster team identity, build fan loyalty, and create a more familiar competitive environment for both players and spectators. The league, guided by Commissioner Kim Ng, the pioneering former MLB executive, has ambitious plans, including a touring model for its first season before transitioning to a city-based structure in 2026. This forward-thinking approach, coupled with significant investment from Major League Baseball and a broadcast partnership with ESPN, signals a concerted effort to elevate the sport’s visibility and provide a sustainable pathway for elite athletes.
Landry joins a talented Volts roster, where she will be part of a formidable pitching staff alongside seasoned professionals like Rachel Garcia, Payton Gottshall, Mariah Mazón, and Sam Show. The prospect of learning from and competing alongside such accomplished athletes will undoubtedly accelerate her development as a professional. Furthermore, the Volts roster boasts another familiar face for Sooner Nation: former Oklahoma star and current OU graduate assistant Tiare Jennings, who will be playing alongside Landry. This connection will provide an immediate sense of camaraderie and a shared understanding of the high expectations associated with Oklahoma softball.
The Volts are set to kick off their season on June 7 against the Blaze in Wichita, Kansas, marking the official beginning of Landry’s professional career. For fans of Oklahoma softball, the opportunity to see their former ace continue to dominate on the professional stage will be a compelling reason to follow the AUSL. Her collegiate career, though ending in the WCWS semifinals, was marked by unwavering dedication and a willingness to shoulder immense responsibility for the Sooners. Now, as a professional, Landry’s focus will shift to leveraging her powerful arsenal and competitive drive to make an immediate impact for the Volts.
Sam Landry’s signing with the AUSL is more than just a transaction; it’s a testament to the growing opportunities for female athletes in professional sports and a clear indicator of the rising profile of softball. Her journey from a standout collegiate pitcher to a first-round professional draft pick embodies the dreams of countless young athletes. As the AUSL embarks on its inaugural season with a traditional team format, Landry, with her proven track record and competitive fire, is perfectly positioned to be a foundational piece of the league’s success. Her presence on the mound, honed under the demanding yet nurturing environment of Oklahoma softball, promises to bring excitement and elite-level performance to the professional game for years to come. The future of professional softball is bright, and Sam Landry is undoubtedly one of its shining stars.
