Update of Arizona standouts in AUSL (6/19)

ALYSSA DENHAM — TEXAS VOLT (ON INJURED LIST)

Alyssa Denham had back surgery two years ago to correct a ruptured disk. The injury was serious enough to force her to announce her retirement. In November 2024, Denham had surgery and the procedure included the placement of a spinal fusion cage, a prosthetic device inserted between vertebrae. During her rehabilitation, she felt strong enough to try pitching again, and she felt like she was able to make a return. Her childhood friend Cat Osterman is the general manager of the Texas Volts. On Dec. 1, Osterman selected selected four athletes to add to her team in the expansion draft, and with her second pick, Osterman picked Denham. “It’s an extreme blessing to get to play,” Denham told MLB.com. “So it’s going to give me the opportunity, I think, to play the freest that I’ve ever played.” She was forced to go on the injured list (undisclosed reason) a day after her first appearance on June 10, when she pitched six solid innings in an 8-5 win over Oklahoma City. Denham secured the victory after allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts over six innings. It marked her first appearance in the circle since Aug. 25, 2024, when she threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings against Team Corrick in the AU Pro Softball Championship Season finale.

TAYLOR MCQUILLIN — CHICAGO BANDITS

Help us give a warm welcome to our newest assistant coach, Taylor McQuillin!

📰: https://t.co/RwEeLJlqKn#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/2L25XiqrGu

— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) June 17, 2026

Former Arizona ace Taylor McQuillin recorded her first save of the season and 10th in her six-year pro career in Chicago’s 4-3 win over Carolina on Thursday. She struck out two in her 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief. This happened a day after Utah announced the hiring of McQuillin as its pitching coach.

A native of Mission Viejo, Calif., McQuillin was an All-American during her career at Arizona and has an extensive professional softball resume that includes time with National Pro Fastpitch, the Japan Diamond League and the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. McQuillin has also been a member of the softball staff at Southern Utah since 2024 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2025.

In the international circuit, McQuillin has spent time with the Mexican Women’s National Softball Team and helped the squad qualify for and also competed at the 2020 Olympics.

“Utah is a special place and I am incredibly excited to be a part of it,” McQuillin said in a press release. “From my first conversations with the coaching staff, it was clear this is a group committed to excellence, growth, and building meaningful relationships. The passion of the coaching staff and the vision for the future both make this an incredible opportunity. I look forward to helping these talented athletes continue to develop and compete at the highest level while contributing to something great.”

During her time with the Wildcats, she piled up 80 victories and earned four straight all-conference selections, becoming the first Arizona pitcher to accomplish that feat in more than a decade. During her senior season in 2019, she racked up 24 wins, pitched to a 1.52 ERA, was named an NFCA First-Team All-American and helped lead her squad to the Women’s College World Series. She left Arizona owning spots in the program’s top 10 in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched.

“Having had the privilege of coaching Taylor, I have seen firsthand the passion, discipline, and leadership qualities that have fueled her success,” said Taryne Mowatt-McKinney, who was McQuillin’s pitching coach at Arizona and is currently a member of the Bandits staff. “She’s always been a great player that knows the game and her ability to teach it has made her an outstanding coach. This is a well-deserved opportunity and I couldn’t be happier for her.”

McQuillin’s coaching career also began at Arizona, where she served as a graduate assistant. There, in 2021, she played a significant role in developing the team’s pitchers and helping the Wildcats achieve a 41-15 record and once again reach the WCWS.

At Southern Utah, McQuillin helped guide the 2025 team to a third-place regular-season finish in the WAC and a second straight WAC tournament appearance. The Thunderbirds finished with a 13-11 conference record and had two players earn all-conference honors. The 2025 team also surged academically, with three players earning CSC Academic All-District honors.

McQuillin’s time with Athletes Unlimited includes a 2024 campaign in which she ranked fourth in the league’s point total and she was selected in the second round of the inaugural draft in 2025. During the 2025 campaign, she logged four saves, tied for the league lead.