MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released its Week Eight edition of the NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll on Tuesday, with the Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team landing in fifth. AUM continues to rank among the nation's elite programs, marking its eighth consecutive week inside the top 10 and its fifth week inside the top five.

Warhawk Magic
The orange and black secured a hard-fought series victory over No. 15 West Florida, taking two of three games in a tightly contested weekend. AUM opened the series with a 3–2 win behind a complete game performance from Reese Cauley, who improved to 17-1 after allowing no earned runs with four strikeouts and just one walk, while Chloe Baynes recorded two hits and helped set up the game-winning run scored by Shelby Morgan.
 
In game two, the Warhawks dropped a narrow 8–7 decision despite a standout showing from Olivia Watkins, who went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and a double.
 
AUM bounced back in the finale with a 6–5, 10-inning victory, as Gracie Suggs delivered a walk-off single to score Rebecca Komers and clinch the series. The Warhawks pitching staff combined to allow just three earned runs over 10 innings, highlighted by Free's 5.0 innings in relief where she held batters to just three hits and no earned runs.
 
Pitch Perfect
AUM's pitching staff posted a solid week, combining for a 2.63 ERA over 24.0 innings across three games. The Warhawks gave up nine earned runs on 29 hits while holding opponents to a .299 batting average. The staff recorded nine strikeouts and 11 walks. Sydni Free led the way with 6.0 innings of flawless pitching, allowing no earned runs on four hits while striking out two and walking two, holding batters to a .211 average. Reese Cauley added 12.0 innings across two starts, including a complete game against the Argos, compiling a 1.75 ERA while allowing just three earned runs. She struck out six and walked five, continuing her dominant run in the circle.
 
Crushing It
The Warhawks offense continued its hot streak, posting a team .286 batting average with 26 hits and 16 runs over three games. Olivia Watkins led the charge, hitting .500 (4-for-8) with a double in game two and reaching base at a .667 clip, earning Gulf South Conference Player of the Week honors for her efforts. Chloe Baynes also went .500 at the plate (6-for-12), contributing three runs, one RBI, and six total bases. The balanced attack from AUM's lineup helped power the team to a series win over No. 15 West Florida.
 

 
UP NEXT
The Warhawks are back in action on Friday, April 3 for a road test with the Valdosta State Blazers. First pitch of Friday's single game is set for 5 p.m.


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