BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama A&M University outfielder Kali Austerman was selected to 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hitter of the Year and also earned First Team honors, the conference announced on Monday evening.
Austerman had a spectacular junior campaign that including leading the league in numerous offensive categories, including sacrifice flies (sixth in NCAA Division I), home runs per game (20th nationally), runs per game (23rd nationally), total bases (23rd nationally), hits (23rd nationally) and slugging percentage (28th nationally). In addition, she was also tops in the conference in home runs, while second in triples and RBIs and third in hit by pitch per game. The Port Saint Joe, Fla. native batted .441, with an .888 slugging percentage. She recorded 67 hits, including 14 home runs, 12 doubles, seven triples, while driving in 56 and scoring 60 runs.
2026 All-SWAC Softball Team and Individual Awards
Player of the Year
Amari Brown, Florida A&M
Hitter of the Year
Kali Austerman, Alabama A&M
Pitcher of the Year
Aaliyah Zabala, Southern
Newcomer of the Year
Laila Clark, Southern
Freshman of the Year
Morgan Smith, Prairie View A&M
Coach of the Year
Brittney Williams, Southern
First Team
C – Brooke Ramsey, Alabama State
1B – Jade McQueen, Texas Southern
2B – Kayla Zaid, Prairie View A&M
SS – Amari Brown, Florida A&M
3B – Jace Jackson, Jackson State
OF – Kali Austerman, Alabama A&M
OF – Laila Clark, Southern
OF – Emma Bradley-Tse, Bethune-Cookman
P – Aaliyah Zabala, Southern
P – Zoryana Hughes, Florida A&M
P – Kayla Adams, Prairie View A&M
DP – Kylie Wilson, Texas Southern
Second Team
C – Keeleigh Spooner, Florida A&M
1B – Morgan Smith, Prairie View A&M
2B – Ayana Frank, Alabama State
SS – Alana Scott, Alabama State
3B – Dyani Mckinley, Prairie View A&M
OF – Mia Nunez, Prairie View A&M
OF – Yahnya Acevedo, Alcorn State
OF – Ka'liyah Gipson, Jackson State
P – Zaria Turner, Texas Southern
P – Jorgina Gant, Jackson State
P – Kohana Pousson, Alabama State
DP – Caidence Martin, Prairie View A&M
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