Jocelyn Erikson walks to the dugout upset after strikeout during the game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Riley Beiswenger/WRUF)

Former Gators Wallace, Erickson Come Up Short in AUSL Title Series

Two former Florida softball stars represented the Chicago Bandits in the AUSL Championship Series. Skylar Wallace and Jocelyn Erickson fell to the Utah Talons in a two-game sweep.

The first game was a nail-biter from the first pitch.

Utah took a 1-0 lead in the first inning before Chicago answered in the third to tie it. The game remained even until the bottom of the sixth, when Talons utility player Sahvanna Jaquish delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home the go-ahead run in a 2-1 win.

Wallace reached base on a single in the first inning for her first hit against Utah all year after starting 0-for-6. She went 1-for-3 with a hit by pitch in the opening game.

Erickson struggled to find rhythm at the plate, going 0-for-3 with two popups and a flyout.

Game 2 was a different story.

Utah took control early after scoring two runs in the first inning. They didn’t let up the rest of the way, continuing to apply pressure to a 6-1 victory to win the championship.

Wallace closed the series on a strong note. After starting 0-for-2, she recorded back-to-back singles and drove in the Bandits’ only run in the seventh inning. Erickson started the game off strong with a single to left but ended 1-for-3 on the day.

Despite recording just three more hits, the Talons capitalized on their opportunities, outscoring Chicago by seven runs across the series.

Erickson ended the series just 1-for-6 at the plate. In 26 games this season, she posted a .219 batting average with one home run and 11 RBIs. However, she was a solid defensive piece with a .984 fielding percentage for the Bandits, playing both first base and catcher, as she did at Florida.

Wallace, who made AUSL history earlier this season with three home runs in one game, finished the championship series 3-for-6 with an RBI. She played in 18 games with 56 at-bats over the summer, hitting .482 with six home runs and 19 RBIs.

Prior to the series, she credited her development to her experience under UF coach Tim Walton. Erickson and Wallace were teammates at Florida during the 2024 season, leading the Gators to the Women’s College World Series.

“He was there when I needed him,” Wallace said. “He showed up for extra reps. Having him as a coach and friend allowed me to be the best I can be.”

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Softball