Coach Lindsay Leftwich | Associate Head Coach Carolina Blaze of the AUSL

Charles Mays interviews NC State’s Coach Lindsay Leftwich, now associate head coach of the Carolina Blaze in the AUSL, as the season opens with first pitch Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network versus the Portland Cascade, followed by a Wednesday game at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN. Leftwich discusses transitioning from college to the pro ranks, the athletes’ eagerness to learn, and what she can bring back to the Wolfpack. She highlights the Blaze’s roster versatility, key players like Aleshia Ocasio, Kayla Kowalik, Reese Atwood, Jenna Laird, and Devyn Netz, and a deep, varied pitching staff including Karlyn Pickens (scheduled to start Wednesday), Keiilani Ricketts, Jala Wright, and Emma Lemley. They also discuss growing investment, TV deals, and how the league is building a sustainable professional future for softball.