VALDOSTA, Ga. – Following an incredibly successful season, four Auburn University at Montgomery softball student-athletes were recognized by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) on Monday afternoon as All-South Region selections. Senior outfielder Chloe Baynes, sophomore pitcher Reese Cauley, senior shortstop Rebecca Komers and junior designated player Olivia Watkins each earned postseason honors for the Warhawks.
 
Baynes highlighted AUM's selections by earning D2 CCA South Region Player of the Year honors in addition to a spot on the All-South Region First Team. Cauley and Komers also secured First Team recognition, while Watkins collected Second Team All-South Region honors.
 
The quartet helped guide AUM to a 43-win campaign and NCAA South Regional appearance while collecting numerous accolades throughout the season. Earlier this postseason, Baynes and Cauley swept the Gulf South Conference's top individual awards, earning GSC Player of the Year and GSC Pitcher of the Year honors, respectively. Baynes, Cauley and Komers also secured First Team All-GSC recognition, while Baynes and Komers were named to the GSC Golden Glove Team.
 
 
Chloe Baynes | Outfielder | Senior
Baynes capped off a historic senior season by earning All-South Region honors after once again leading the Warhawks offensively from the leadoff spot. Starting all 56 games in center field, she finished the year batting .450 with a conference-best 85 hits and 48 stolen bases. She also ranked among the GSC leaders in on-base percentage (.516), runs scored (56), triples (5) and walks (26).
 
Already one of the most accomplished players in program history entering the season, Baynes added several milestones to her résumé in 2026. The senior became the first player in AUM history to reach 300 career hits while also setting new program career records for hits and stolen bases. She later closed out her career as the Gulf South Conference's all-time hits leader.
 
Defensively, Baynes remained a steady presence in center field, totaling 104 putouts with a .972 fielding percentage across 56 starts. She also earned GSC Player of the Week honors and a spot on the NFCA Division II Player of the Year Watch List during the season.







Reese Cauley | Pitcher | Sophomore
Cauley emerged as one of Division II softball's top arms during her sophomore campaign, anchoring the Warhawks inside the circle throughout the season. The GSC Pitcher of the Year compiled a 28-4 record with a 1.69 ERA over 207 innings pitched while striking out 171 batters and holding opponents to a .190 batting average.
 
The sophomore made 32 starts and surpassed the 200-inning mark while playing a key role in AUM's regular season championship push and postseason run. Cauley also recorded multiple shutouts and consistently delivered in high-leverage matchups throughout the year.
 
In addition to her work in the circle, Cauley contributed offensively with a .257 batting average, six home runs and 23 RBI while splitting time between pitcher and designated player. She added a .457 slugging percentage and produced several timely extra-base hits during the season.


 

Rebecca Komers | Shortstop | Senior
Komers collected All-South Region honors after serving as one of the most reliable two-way players in the Gulf South Conference this season. The senior started all 56 games at shortstop and finished with a .353 batting average, recording 60 hits, 13 doubles, five home runs and 44 RBI.
 
Her RBI total ranked sixth in the conference, while her five sacrifice flies tied for second in the league. Komers also scored 38 runs, stole 21 bases and posted a .541 slugging percentage alongside a .945 OPS.
 
The senior continued to shine defensively as well, anchoring the middle infield with 127 assists and a .961 fielding percentage. Her play earned her a spot on the GSC Golden Glove Team for the 2026 season.




Olivia Watkins | Designated Player | Junior
Watkins rounded out AUM's All-South Region selections after putting together one of the top offensive seasons on the roster. The junior hit .395 during the year, ranking third in the Gulf South Conference, while adding 58 hits, 34 runs scored and a team-leading 14 doubles.
 
A consistent presence in the middle of the lineup, Watkins also totaled six home runs and 31 RBI while finishing with a 1.109 OPS. Her .470 on-base percentage ranked sixth in the conference, while her .639 slugging percentage placed seventh among GSC hitters. Watkins additionally drew 17 walks and continued to provide offensive production throughout the postseason push.




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