MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has released its 2026 NFCA Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist which is highlighted by senior outfielder Chloe Baynes and sophomore pitcher Reese Cauley of the No. 5 Auburn University at Montgomery softball team.
 
118 student athletes across the country were named to the watchlist with the list being broken down into the eight NCAA Regions (Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West) with up to 15 student-athletes represented in each region. The list is compiled by the elected members of the NFCA Division II All-American Committee with one head coach representing each of the eight NCAA regions. To be eligible, a student-athlete's head coach must be a member.
 
CHLOE BAYNES
Baynes has been a cornerstone for AUM this season, starting all 33 games while putting together one of the most dominant offensive campaigns in the Gulf South Conference. She leads both the Warhawks and the GSC with a .440 batting average, while her 48 hits are tied for first in the conference on 109 at-bats. She also ranks second in the GSC with 35 runs scored and a .520 on-base percentage, while totaling 56 total bases on the year. Her production at the plate includes two doubles, three triples, and 10 RBI, contributing to a .514 slugging percentage. A disciplined hitter, Baynes has drawn 18 walks while striking out just five times all season. She has also been a constant threat on the basepaths, stealing 27 bases, which is tied for second in the GSC, on 33 attempts.



 
REESE CAULEY
Cauley has been a dominant force on the mound for AUM this season, making 19 appearances and logging 119.0 innings pitched. She leads the Gulf South Conference with a 1.47 ERA while compiling a 17-1 record, which is tied for second in the league. Cauley has completed 14 games, including five shutouts, allowing just 25 earned runs and 87 hits all season. She has struck out 98 batters, ranking fourth in the GSC, while issuing only 29 walks. Over the 436 batters she has faced, opponents have been limited to a .200 batting average, which ranks second in the conference, highlighting her consistency and dominance in every outing.




2026 NFCA Player of the Year and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year Watchlist (South Region)

Chloe Baynes OF Sr. Auburn University at Montgomery South Reese Cauley P/1B So. Auburn University at Montgomery South Emma Chisholm IF Jr. Florida Tech South Ella Coiner UT Sr. Eckerd College South Tierney Hocquard P Sr. Saint Leo University South Abigail Hynes UT Fr. Saint Leo University South Taylor Lloyd P Sr. University of Montevallo South Gwen McGinnis* P Sr. University of Tampa South Briana Neal 2B Sr. Saint Leo University South Brandilyn Reymer P Sr. Eckerd College South Taylor Rogers OF Fr. University of Montevallo South Shelby Samples IF/UT Sr. Mississippi College South Hannah Taylor* UT Jr. Eckerd College South Mya   Tucker OF So. Barry University South Gracelyn Wallace P R-Jr. Nova Southeastern University South

 
Voted on by the NFCA's Division II All-American Committee, the 2026 NFCA Player of the Year and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year will be announced on May 27, a day prior to the start of the NCAA Division II National Championships. All student-athletes are eligible for the end-of-the-season award and do not have to be on this list to be considered.

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