Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Photo by: JC Ridley
Owls Rack Up Softball America Preseason Recognition
1/13/2026 4:06:00 PM | Softball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic softball team is well-recognized in Softball America's preseason honors.
Senior pitcher Autumn Courtney checks in at No. 50 on the Top 100 Preseason Players of the Year and No. 11 in the Preseason Pitcher rankings, while redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds appears at No. 24 in the Preseason Outfielder rankings. Additionally, Madilyn Byrd, Ashlynn Durkin, Makenna Lee, Lily Lowery, and Sara Harris are all on the Freshman Watch List.
Courtney, looking to build on her 2025 All-American campaign, is the highest ranked player in the American Conference after unanimously winning the league's pitcher of the year award. She was among the nation's leaders in both strikeouts with 172 (No. 30 in the nation) and an ERA of 2.03 (32nd lowest nationally).
Hammonds joins the outfield rankings as the highest member from the American after a career-best season. She led the league in on-base percentage (.507) and reached base safely in 26 consecutive games to end the 2025 campaign. As the leadoff hitter, Hammonds led the way for the Owls in runs (54) as well as walks (33) and hit by pitches (14), and was second in hits (63) and doubles (13).
This marks Lee and Lowery's second preseason recognition after receiving a spot on D1Softball's D100 Freshman Watch List. The duo, along with Byrd, Durkin, and Harris, will look to contribute to the Owls in their hunt for a third consecutive American Conference championship.
Florida Atlantic's season begins on Thursday, Feb. 5, hosting the Paradise Classic.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are on sale now. To secure your 2026 FAU softball season tickets, visit HERE. Previous season ticket holders can renew by clicking HERE. For more information, please contact the FAU ticket office by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS or by emailing tickets@fau.edu. For the full schedule, click HERE.
OWLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To stay up to date on all things FAU softball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUSoftball.
Senior pitcher Autumn Courtney checks in at No. 50 on the Top 100 Preseason Players of the Year and No. 11 in the Preseason Pitcher rankings, while redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds appears at No. 24 in the Preseason Outfielder rankings. Additionally, Madilyn Byrd, Ashlynn Durkin, Makenna Lee, Lily Lowery, and Sara Harris are all on the Freshman Watch List.
Courtney, looking to build on her 2025 All-American campaign, is the highest ranked player in the American Conference after unanimously winning the league's pitcher of the year award. She was among the nation's leaders in both strikeouts with 172 (No. 30 in the nation) and an ERA of 2.03 (32nd lowest nationally).
Hammonds joins the outfield rankings as the highest member from the American after a career-best season. She led the league in on-base percentage (.507) and reached base safely in 26 consecutive games to end the 2025 campaign. As the leadoff hitter, Hammonds led the way for the Owls in runs (54) as well as walks (33) and hit by pitches (14), and was second in hits (63) and doubles (13).
This marks Lee and Lowery's second preseason recognition after receiving a spot on D1Softball's D100 Freshman Watch List. The duo, along with Byrd, Durkin, and Harris, will look to contribute to the Owls in their hunt for a third consecutive American Conference championship.
Florida Atlantic's season begins on Thursday, Feb. 5, hosting the Paradise Classic.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are on sale now. To secure your 2026 FAU softball season tickets, visit HERE. Previous season ticket holders can renew by clicking HERE. For more information, please contact the FAU ticket office by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS or by emailing tickets@fau.edu. For the full schedule, click HERE.
OWLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To stay up to date on all things FAU softball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUSoftball.
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UTL
/ SoftballInside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #10
Tuesday, May 12
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #9
Tuesday, May 05
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #8
Thursday, April 23
Jesiana Mora Feature
Wednesday, April 22