BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced its 2026 SWAC Softball Postseason Awards, recognizing the league’s top performers and honoring standout achievements across all positions following a highly competitive regular season.
 
Florida A&M’s Amari Brown highlighted the list of honorees, earning SWAC Player of the Year accolades after a dominant campaign in which she also secured First Team All-SWAC honors at shortstop. Brown’s all-around performance helped anchor Florida A&M’s success throughout the season and positioned her among the league’s elite.
 
Alabama A&M’s Kali Austerman was named Hitter of the Year, recognizing her impact at the plate and consistent offensive production. Austerman also earned a spot on the First Team as an outfielder, further underscoring her value as one of the conference’s most dangerous hitters.
 
In the circle, Southern’s Aaliyah Zabala was named Pitcher of the Year following a standout season leading the Jaguars’ pitching staff. Zabala’s dominance was complemented by teammate Laila Clark, who earned Newcomer of the Year honors while also securing a First Team All-SWAC selection in the outfield.
 
Prairie View A&M’s Morgan Smith was named Freshman of the Year after an impressive debut season, while Southern’s Brittney Williams was recognized as Coach of the Year after guiding the Jaguars to a strong showing in conference play and placing multiple student-athletes among the league’s top honorees.
 
A complete listing of the 2026 SWAC Softball Postseason Team and Individual Awards is listed below.

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
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.