TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Softball's senior catcher Sydney Stewart has been selected by the AUSL as one of 17 collegiate players to participate in the 2026 draft.
 
Arizona Softball legend and AUSL advisor Jennie Finch was in attendance to present Stewart with the golden ticket to the league's second annual college draft. Stewart is one of 17 collegiate players to receive a golden ticket to the draft. She joins Devyn Netz as the second Wildcat to receive a golden ticket after Netz received one last season.
 
During her career, Stewart has hit over 40 home runs, driven in over 150 runs, and drawn over 120 walks. She holds a .695 career slugging percentage and has maintained a .346 career batting average. In her two seasons at Arizona, Stewart has hit 33 home runs with 124 RBI, 74 walks and has a .389 batting average and .883 slugging percentage.
 
Stewart garnered NFCA second-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 after leading Arizona with 20 home runs, 68 RBI, a .819 slugging percentage, 48 walks, and a .542 on-base percentage.
 
This season, Stewart leads in the Big 12 in RBI (56) and RBI per game (1.60) and ranks fifth in the conference with 13 home runs. She leads Arizona with 15 multi-RBI games this season and is currently on a 20-game reached base streak. Stewart was named to the USA Softball Top 50 Player Watch List and Preseason All-Big 12 team ahead of the 2026 season.
 
AUSL's College Draft Show is scheduled for Monday, May 4 and will be televised on ESPN2. Stewart and the 16 other golden ticket draftees will be assigned to the AUSL teams during the draft show to complete the rosters.