BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Gulf South Conference announced its annual softball postseason awards on Tuesday, with Auburn University at Montgomery placing three student-athletes among the league's top honorees. Sophomore pitcher Reese Cauley and senior centerfielder Chloe Baynes shared the spotlight as GSC Pitcher of the Year and GSC Player of the Year, respectively, while senior shortstop Rebecca Komers joined the pair on the First Team All-GSC, capping a standout regular season for the Warhawks. Baynes and Komers also earned 2026 GSC Golden Glove Team recognition for their defensive performances in the field.

REESE CAULEY
GSC Pitcher of the Year • First Team All-GSC
Cauley was named Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Year following a dominant 2026 campaign in the circle. She made 28 starts and posted a 26-2 record across 184.2 innings with a 1.48 ERA, 22 complete games, and eight shutouts. She limited opponents to a .184 batting average while striking out 158 batters against just 44 walks, allowing only 39 earned runs on 122 hits. Cauley recorded 15 appearances without allowing an earned run and held opponents to four or fewer hits in 17 outings, highlighted by a no-hitter against Columbus State and a career-high 11 strikeouts versus Christian Brothers.

Among GSC leaders, she ranked second in ERA and opponent batting average, third in innings pitched, and tied for first in wins, while also placing among the top 15 nationally in multiple pitching categories, including ERA, innings pitched, strikeouts, shutouts, and complete games.
 
In addition to her dominance in the circle, the Alabama native also made a strong impact offensively across 34 games. She finished with 93 at-bats and a .258 batting average, recording 24 hits, 10 runs scored, and three doubles. She tied for second on the team with six home runs while driving in 22 RBI and totaling 45 bases with a .484 slugging percentage. Cauley also drew five walks and struck out just nine times, while adding three sacrifice flies, five sacrifice bunts, and going a perfect 1-for-1 on stolen base attempts.






CHLOE BAYNES
GSC Player of the Year • First Team All-GSC • 2026 Golden Glove Team
Baynes was named Gulf South Conference Player of the Year after a dominant 2026 season at the plate and in the field. One of just three Warhawks to start all 50 games for AUM, she led the GSC with a .449 batting average (30th nationally) and 75 hits (tied for 19th nationally). She ranked sixth in the league with 167 at-bats while finishing second in the GSC with 54 runs scored (tied for 30th nationally).

The Alabama native also led the conference with 47 stolen bases in 54 attempts (fifth nationally), while adding 16 RBI, 88 total bases, and eight extra-base hits, including five triples that tied for fourth in the GSC. She drew 26 walks, ranked eighth in the league, and struck out just eight times on the season. She posted a .523 on-base percentage, which ranked second in the GSC and 38th nationally.

Baynes also earned Gulf South Conference Golden Glove Team honors for her defensive performance in the outfield. She recorded 95 putouts and one assist while committing just three errors over 99 total chances, posting a .970 fielding percentage. Her defensive season was highlighted by a home run robbery against Valdosta State, underscoring her athleticism and impact in the field.








REBECCA KOMERS
First Team All-GSC • 2026 Golden Glove Team
Komers earned First Team All-Gulf South Conference honors after a strong 2026 season as one of the most consistent hitters in the Warhawk lineup. One of just three players to start all 50 games for AUM, she recorded 152 at-bats and posted a .375 batting average, which ranked 11th in the GSC. She finished tied for ninth in the conference with 57 hits while also ranking tied for 12th with 37 runs scored.
 
The senior added 13 doubles (tied for 13th in the GSC), two triples, and five home runs while driving in a team-leading 43 RBI, which also tied for fifth in the conference. She totaled 89 bases and posted a .586 slugging percentage along with a .425 on-base percentage. She also drew 14 walks, recorded six sacrifice bunts, and led the GSC with five sacrifice flies. On the basepaths, she went 21-for-23 in stolen base attempts, ranking tied for eighth in the league.
 
The Tennessee native also collected Gulf South Conference Golden Glove Team recognition for her defensive performance at shortstop. Over 344.1 innings, she recorded 64 putouts and 115 assists while committing just seven errors over 186 total chances, posting a .962 fielding percentage. She also played a key role in eight double plays, further showcasing her consistency and reliability on the defensive side of the game.






UP NEXT
The Warhawks have earned the No. 3 seed in the 2026 GSC Championship and will open tournament play against No. 6 UAH on Wednesday, May 6 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama.

#WeAreAUM 
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.