The St. Louis Gateway Gold continued building its inaugural Professional Softball League roster by signing left-handed pitcher Estelle Czech, a University of Texas alum with Women’s College World Series experience and a track record of performing on the biggest stages.
Czech, a 5-foot-8 lefty from Downers Grove, Ill., arrives in St. Louis after a decorated collegiate career that included stops at NC State and Texas. At Texas, she earned WCWS All-Tournament Team honors in 2022 after helping the Longhorns reach the championship series for the first time in program history. She also captured both Big 12 and NFCA Division I Pitcher of the Week recognition in 2024 and was part of Texas’ first postseason no-hitter in school history.
Her college résumé features multiple scoreless outings against nationally ranked opponents, including Oklahoma, LSU, and Oklahoma State, along with a career that showcased both starting and relief capability. After college, Czech gained professional experience with the Atlanta Smoke in 2024 and the Florida Vibe in 2025 before transitioning into coaching as an assistant at Middle Tennessee State.
For a Gateway Gold pitching staff that already includes Coastal Carolina product Nicolette Picone, Czech adds a proven arm with high-level postseason pedigree. The Gold, coached by former Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan along with Matt Adams, Trevor Rosenthal, and former Mizzou All-American Julia Crenshaw, have been assembling a roster of college and pro talent since the franchise was accepted into the PSL following strong exhibition crowds at CarShield Field in O’Fallon last summer.
The team is set for a 40-game season from June to August 2027 in the expanding league, which will also include a Kansas City franchise. Czech’s addition gives the Gold another experienced left-handed option as they prepare for their first full professional campaign.
With her combination of Big 12 and WCWS credentials plus recent pro experience, Czech represents the kind of high-upside addition the organization has targeted while establishing itself as a permanent presence in St. Louis women’s sports.
