AUSL Draft: Virginia Tech Softball's Ace Becomes First Golden Ticket Recipient
Jenny Dalton-Hill walked onto the field at Tech Softball Park and presented senior Emma Lemley with the surprise of a lifetime.
Lemley, who was celebrating her senior night, didn't have a clue why Dalton-Hill was on the field or what was going on. Dalton-Hill, who is one of the four general managers of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, then presented Lemley with a golden ticket.
In shock, Lemley immediately brought her hands to her face and wiped away the tears running down her cheeks.
surprising college draft picks in person >>>>>>>
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) April 14, 2025
a golden moment with @Emmmaaclairee & @HokiesSoftball ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mozLTe6yGn
Only 12 players will be selected in the inaugural draft and the golden ticket for Lemley signifies that she will be one of those players.
"Over the next few weeks, golden tickets will be presented to college softball players at programs across the country," the league stated via press release. "The AUSL College Draft Show will air on Saturday, May 3 at 9 p.m. on ESPNU to reveal which team Lemley and the other draftees are selected to."
The 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year has been one of the best pitchers in college softball throughout her career, but her senior season has been exceptional. She is 15-3 on the season with a 1.91 ERA and leads the ACC with 146 strikeouts.
A memory that will last a lifetime. 🥰 @HokiesSoftball’s @Emmmaaclairee is the first college player to receive a golden ticket and be drafted to the inaugural season of the #AUSL! pic.twitter.com/dUH99L7GGo
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) April 14, 2025
With 799 career strikeouts, Lemley is the active leader in Division I ranks fourth among Division I players with 9.41 strikeouts per seven innings.
Lemley has pitched national-high four no-hitters this spring. Three of those games were against opponents who were ranked or receiving votes, and two were perfect games.
In her career, Lemley has a 2.75 career ERA and has 65 total wins. She has pitched 19 solo shutouts and is tied for the most saves in program history with 11 in her career.
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-1d7db99dccc9abef7b9378f016b22b68.webp "Maren Angus-Coombs")
Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and has been a sports writer since 2008. She has been covering college softball since 2016 for various outlets including Softball America, ESPNW and Hurrdat Sports. She is currently the managing editor of Softball On SI and also serves as an analyst for Nebraska softball games on Nebraska Public Media and B1G+.