Sharlize Palacios:Now, She's Taking Her Game International

Sharlize Palacios has spent her career proving that being behind the plate means more than catching the ball.

The Chula Vista native emerged as one of the country's top young catchers at Eastlake High School before beginning her collegiate career at Arizona. There, she quickly established herself as an offensive force, hitting 39 home runs and driving in 128 runs across three seasons while helping the Wildcats make two Women's College World Series appearances.

In 2022, Palacios transferred to UCLA, bringing with her two All-Pac-12 First Team selections, two All-Defensive Team honors and two seasons of WCWS experience. UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez described her as one of the best catchers in college softball, highlighting her leadership, powerful bat and postseason experience. At UCLA, Palacios turned that reputation into one of the strongest final seasons of her collegiate career.

In 2024, she was named an NFCA Second-Team All-American and Pac-12 Tournament MVP. She also earned her fourth All-Pac-12 honor and third Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection. Across her five collegiate seasons at Arizona and UCLA, she finished with a .338 batting average, 69 home runs and 218 RBI.

But Palacios' career has never been confined to college softball. She first represented Team USA in 2022, competing in the Japan All-Star Series and Canada Cup. At the Canada Cup, she hit .571 with two home runs and helped Team USA capture the championship.

After graduating from UCLA, Palacios moved fully into the professional game. She joined Athletes Unlimited and was selected ninth overall by the Talons in the inaugural AUSL Draft. During the league's first season, she started 22 of 24 games at catcher, earned All-Defensive Team honors and helped the Talons win the inaugural championship.

Now, she's expanding that résumé beyond the United States. Palacios helped Sultanes Femenil capture the 2026 Mexican Softball League title, finishing third on the team with a .318 batting average and 15 RBI. She also recorded two home runs, two doubles and a triple during the season.

For a catcher, the position demands a unique combination of leadership, athleticism and trust. Palacios has built her career around all three. And with professional softball continuing to expand across borders, her experience across the NCAA, Team USA, Athletes Unlimited and Mexico places her at the center of a new era for women's professional softball.

PLAYER CARD

• Hometown: Chula Vista, California
• Sport: Softball
• Position: Catcher
• College: University of California, Los Angeles
• Collegiate honors: NFCA Second-Team All-American, 2024 Pac-12 Tournament MVP, four-time All-Pac-12 honoree
• Team USA: 2022 Japan All-Star Series and Canada Cup Champion
• Professional experience: Athletes Unlimited / AUSL Talons
• Professional achievement: 2025 AUSL Champion and All-Defensive Team selection
• International chapter: Sultanes Femenil, Mexico

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sharlize Palacios' career reflects how quickly the landscape of women's softball is changing.

For decades, the highest level of opportunity for many women softball players ended with college. Palacios has instead built a career that moves across college softball, national-team competition and professional leagues, allowing her to continue developing her game long after her UCLA career ended.

Her move to Sultanes Femenil adds another dimension. Playing professionally in Mexico gives Palacios the opportunity to compete in a different softball environment while becoming part of a growing international ecosystem for women's professional sports.

For Palacios, the game continues to expand around her. A championship in Mexico adds to a résumé that already includes all American recognition, national team experience, and professional success.