MONTGOMERY, Ala. – For the first time in Division II history, the Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (6-0) has been tabbed the No. 1 team in the first 2026 NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, as announced Tuesday morning. The DII top-ranking marks the highest in program history for AUM softball, surpassing its previous best of No. 2 during the 2025 season.
 
 
COACH WILKES LANEY'S COMMENTS
"This is a really cool honor, especially when it's the first time in program history. I want our players to enjoy today and embrace this moment of making history for our program. But, moving forward, we have to take care of business. It is early and there is a lot of season left. We have a lot of work to do. We will stay humble and continue to work hard to be the best version of ourselves each day."
 
 
THE EARLY JOURNEY
Previously ranked No. 12 in the NFCA preseason poll, AUM opened the 2026 season at the Gulf Shores Invitational. The Warhawks began the year with an extra-inning victory over Florida Tech before knocking off No. 20 Saint Leo later that day.

AUM continued its strong start last weekend at the Columbus State Invitational, where the Warhawks once again proved their dominance. Ten was the magic number for the orange and black, as AUM scored 10 runs in each of its four games over the weekend.

On Friday, AUM defeated Florida Southern, 10-3, behind a strong pitching performance from Sydni Free, a home run from Karris Rhine, and a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate by Kennedy Sevcik. Later that day, Reese Cauley delivered one of the weekend's standout performances, tossing a five-inning no-hitter in a 10-0 shutout victory over host Columbus State. The Warhawks closed out the tournament with wins over Tuskegee (10-4) and Wingate (10-0, five innings).
 
 
POWERING THE WARHAWKS
Sophomore pitcher Reese Cauley has anchored the Warhawks in the circle, logging 18.0 innings with a perfect 4-0 record and a 0.39 ERA. She has allowed just one earned run on seven hits while striking out 11 and holding opposing hitters to a .115 batting average.
 
Junior outfielder Karris Rhine has been the catalyst of AUM's offense, batting .571 through 21 plate appearances. She has totaled 11 runs, 12 hits, nine RBI, and 21 total bases. Rhine leads the team with three home runs, owns a 1.000 slugging percentage and a .591 on-base percentage, and is a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts.
 
Senior infielder Rebecca Komers has been a key contributor for the Warhawks, batting .500 through 20 at-bats with four runs scored and 10 hits. She has added one home run, two RBI, and 13 total bases while posting a .524 on-base percentage and going a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts.
 
Senior outfielder Chloe Baynes is batting .429 through 21 at-bats with a team-high 10 runs scored and nine hits. She has added one RBI and nine total bases, drawn three walks, and owns a .500 on-base percentage. Baynes also leads the Warhawks with a perfect 9-for-9 mark in stolen base attempts.



2026 NFCA/GoRout D2 Top 25 Coaches Poll

RANK	TEAM	POINTS	RECORD	PREV. RANKING
1	AUM	395	6-0	12
2	Angelo State	370	9-1	13
3	Cal State San Marcos	369	8-1	14
4	Tampa	346	4-2	2
5	Cal State East Bay	318	9-1	17
6	West Texas A&M	308	10-2	8
7	Central Oklahoma	299	8-2	11
8	North Georgia	298	4-2	6
9	Saginaw Valley State	269	4-2	5
10	Francis Marion	252	3-1	10
11	Southern Arkansas	249	10-0	RV
12	Rogers State	192	7-2	18
13	West Florida	186	9-1	RV
14	Oklahoma Christian	179	7-1	25
15	Concordia	160	9-3	RV
16	Indianapolis	151	4-0	22
17	Missouri Southern	118	10-1	24
t18	Shippensburg	113	0-0	7
t18	Pace	113	0-0	4
20	Saint Leo	101	4-1-1	20
21	Colorado Christian	90	10-2	RV
22	Kutztown	74	3-1	16
23	Wilmington	60	0-0	21
24	Oklahoma Baptist	55	10-0	NR
25	McKendree	39	6-2	NR

Receiving Votes: Northwest Nazarene (31), East Stroudsburg (19), Montevallo (17), UT Tyler (6-4), Augustana (3-2), Tusculum (6).
New to Poll: No. 11 Southern Arkansas, No. 13 West Florida, No. 15 Concordia, No. 21 Colorado Christian, No. 24 Oklahoma Baptist, No. 25 McKendree.
Dropped Out: No. 1 UT Tyler, No. 3 Western Washington, No. 9 Augustana, No. 15 East Stroudsburg, No. 19 Lenoir-Rhyne, No. 23 Barry.
The 2026 NFCA/Go Rout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA's eight regions. Records reflect games played through Feb. 8, 2026.

UP NEXT
The Warhawks will face Florida Tech for the second time this season, defeating them 5-3 in extra innings in their season opener, on Friday, Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. in Melbourne, Fla.

 
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