Goold Receives Final AUSL Golden Ticket
April 25, 2026 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Peja Goold will become Mississippi State softball's 19th professional draft pick after she was presented with a Golden Ticket by the AUSL at Nusz Park following the No. 17 Bulldogs' series-clinching win over No. 20 LSU on Saturday.
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The AUSL enters its second season in 2026 and has expanded to a six-team footprint. Teams have already completed the draft, but selections remain confidential until the College Draft Show on Monday, May 4 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. At that time, Goold will learn which team has selected her and where her professional career will begin.
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Only 17 collegiate athletes nationwide will be drafted to the league.
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"We are incredibly excited that Peja has received a Golden Ticket to be drafted into the AUSL," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "She is truly deserving of this opportunity and has put in the work to reach this moment. The way she prepares and approaches her craft already reflects a professional mindset, and we're looking forward to watching her continue to grow and compete at the next level."
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Goold has developed into a top-10 arm nationally during her short time in Starkville. She entered the weekend third in the nation with eight shutouts and ranked among the top 15 in hits allowed per seven innings (4.29; 12th) and WHIP (0.11; 13th).
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The Stockton, California, native has thrown a no-hitter and five one-hitters this season. She leads MSU with 14 wins and her .170 batting average against is just one point off the MSU single-season record.
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"This is an incredible opportunity that Peja has earned and I couldn't be happier for her to have this moment," pitching coach Taryne Mowatt-McKinney said. "She has elevated this program, and I know she'll continue that success at the professional level. The AUSL is lucky to be getting a player of her caliber."
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Goold will be the 29th Bulldog to go on to a professional career, and 17 of those were coached by Samantha Ricketts for at least one season at MSU. Ten Bulldogs have gone on to pro careers in the seven years since Ricketts was named the program's head coach, and at least one player has signed a professional contract in each of the last six seasons. It is the second consecutive year that a State pitcher was selected by an AUSL team after Raelin Chaffin helped the Talons win the inaugural league title last summer.
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Goold gives MSU three active players in the AUSL, joining Sierra Sacco and Mia Davidson. Those two were both selected in the expansion draft in December by the Portland Cascade. Sacco was a part of the champion Talons last summer as well, and Davidson missed the season with injury though she had been selected by the Bandits, which reached the league championship series.
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The AUSL begins play on June 9 with teams playing in home cities for the first time.
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For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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The AUSL enters its second season in 2026 and has expanded to a six-team footprint. Teams have already completed the draft, but selections remain confidential until the College Draft Show on Monday, May 4 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. At that time, Goold will learn which team has selected her and where her professional career will begin.
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Only 17 collegiate athletes nationwide will be drafted to the league.
Â
"We are incredibly excited that Peja has received a Golden Ticket to be drafted into the AUSL," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "She is truly deserving of this opportunity and has put in the work to reach this moment. The way she prepares and approaches her craft already reflects a professional mindset, and we're looking forward to watching her continue to grow and compete at the next level."
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Goold has developed into a top-10 arm nationally during her short time in Starkville. She entered the weekend third in the nation with eight shutouts and ranked among the top 15 in hits allowed per seven innings (4.29; 12th) and WHIP (0.11; 13th).
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The Stockton, California, native has thrown a no-hitter and five one-hitters this season. She leads MSU with 14 wins and her .170 batting average against is just one point off the MSU single-season record.
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"This is an incredible opportunity that Peja has earned and I couldn't be happier for her to have this moment," pitching coach Taryne Mowatt-McKinney said. "She has elevated this program, and I know she'll continue that success at the professional level. The AUSL is lucky to be getting a player of her caliber."
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Goold will be the 29th Bulldog to go on to a professional career, and 17 of those were coached by Samantha Ricketts for at least one season at MSU. Ten Bulldogs have gone on to pro careers in the seven years since Ricketts was named the program's head coach, and at least one player has signed a professional contract in each of the last six seasons. It is the second consecutive year that a State pitcher was selected by an AUSL team after Raelin Chaffin helped the Talons win the inaugural league title last summer.
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Goold gives MSU three active players in the AUSL, joining Sierra Sacco and Mia Davidson. Those two were both selected in the expansion draft in December by the Portland Cascade. Sacco was a part of the champion Talons last summer as well, and Davidson missed the season with injury though she had been selected by the Bandits, which reached the league championship series.
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The AUSL begins play on June 9 with teams playing in home cities for the first time.
Â
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSOFTBALL | Highlights vs. LSU (Game 2)
Saturday, April 25
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. LSU (Game 2)
Saturday, April 25
SOFTBALL | Peja Goold Receives AUSL Golden Ticket
Saturday, April 25
SOFTBALL | Highlights vs. LSU (Game 1)
Friday, April 24