The Utah Talons are champions once again as Series MVP Jadelyn Allchin led the program to back-to-back titles with a two-game sweep over the Chicago Bandits earlier today.

Behind pitcher Montana Fouts, outfielder Allchin and a championship performance from one of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s most complete teams, the Talons defeated the Chicago Bandits 6-1 on Sunday afternoon before a sellout crowd at Davis Diamond to capture the 2026 AUSL Championship.

Sunday’s game marked the third sellout in AUSL postseason history, including the second sellout in as many days.

The victory secured Utah’s second consecutive AUSL title and completed a two-game sweep of Chicago in a rematch of last year’s championship series. The Talons became the first repeat champions in league history after finishing the regular season with the AUSL’s best record for the second straight year.

“I’m incredibly proud of this group,” Utah Coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. “When I first met this group in March, I asked them what they wanted to do, and they said repeat – job well done. I could not be more proud of these women.”

Utah sprinted out to a 6-0 lead in the deciding game. Allchin lifted the Talons to a 2-0 advantage in the first inning with a two-run home run to right field. Utah added two runs in the fourth inning before home runs by infielder Bri Ellis and utility player Sahvanna Jaquish in the fifth and seventh innings, respectively, upped the margin to 6-0.

Fouts, who locked down the Talons’ 2025 title with a complete game effort, repeated her efforts in the deciding game on Sunday. The AUSL Pitcher of the Year allowed one run on eight hits with four strikeouts.

“I’m very proud of how I felt when I saw the rest of my team,” Fouts said. “I could turn around and look at everyone else on my team, and I felt genuine love. I’m thankful I got the opportunity to get it done for them today.”

Allchin was named the AUSL Championship’s Most Valuable Player following a vote by a group of AUSL team and league personnel and broadcasters.

She went 3-for-6 in the two-game sweep and was responsible for six of Utah’s eight runs, scoring three times while driving in three more runs.

“The biggest thing today was heart,” Allchin said. “We brought a lot of heart this weekend, and showing up with that and showing up for the game of softball is what led to this moment.”

The Talons’ championship run capped another dominant season for the franchise. Utah secured the No. 1 seed after leading the league throughout much of the regular season and finishing in a tie for first place with Chicago in the standings.

The championship also concluded a landmark second season for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.

Following the successful launch of city-based teams in 2026, the season featured 23 regular-season sellouts and significant increases in television viewership, sponsorship support, merchandise sales and fan engagement.