All-American Maya Johnson Receives AUSL Golden Ticket

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University softball All-American Maya Johnson received a Golden Ticket from Athletes Unlimited Softball League Friday evening following the Bruins' doubleheader vs. Illinois State.
 
A Golden Ticket was a tradition started in 2025 to signify and commemorate a player being drafted into the AUSL – quickly becoming the most prestigious honor in college softball.
 
Johnson was presented her Golden Ticket by two-time Olympic medalist, former All-American, and ESPN broadcast personality Jessica Mendoza.
 
"It is an honor to be asked to present Maya with her Golden Ticket and share in this once-in-a-lifetime emotional moment," Mendoza said. "I have gotten to know Maya and she is one of the most inspiring softball players I have ever met. I look forward to seeing her continued success in the AUSL."
 
Johnson was named 2025 All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and D1 Softball after leading Belmont to the Missouri Valley Conference championship and victory in the NCAA Tournament.
 
A native of Columbia Station, Ohio, Johnson once again ranks among national leaders in virtually every statistical category, including strikeouts, strikeout-to-walk ratio, earned run average, WHIP, shutouts, and complete games.
 
The pitcher led Belmont to transformational victories over Mississippi State and Georgia this season as the Bruins have earned National Top 25 poll votes.
 
Johnson, who earned her bachelor's degree in nursing this past May, is an inspiration, having risen to the top of college softball battling through an autoimmune condition called lupus.
 
She has become an advocate and national spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America, serving as a keynote speaker at the End Lupus Now walk in Nashville this past fall.
 
Johnson becomes the latest Belmont athlete to be drafted professionally, joining the likes of Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard and World Champion baseball player Matt Beaty.
 
Golden Ticket recipients this season include Johnson, NiJaree Canady, Karlyn Pickens, and Reese Atwood.
 
The 2026 AUSL College Draft will take place Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and the ESPN app.