BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | The Gulf South Conference announced its 2026 softball yearly awards, with the program placing six student-athletes among this season's honorees. Jill Cockrell and Mia Brown each earned First Team All-GSC recognition, while Katie Bracken, Megan Shurtz, and Kylie Ballentine were named to the Second Team. Baylee Darby was also recognized as the conference's second base Gold Glove recipient.

Cockrell delivered a strong all-around season at the top of the lineup, starting all 53 games while batting .365. She totaled 58 hits and 48 runs scored, while adding 19 stolen bases.

Brown emerged as one of the top hitters in the conference, finishing the regular season with a .427 batting average. She recorded 53 hits, including 15 doubles and three home runs, while driving in 40 RBI. Brown also posted a .621 slugging percentage and .539 on-base percentage.

Ballentine appeared in all 54 games while hitting .337 with 57 hits and a team-high 18 doubles. She drove in 35 runs and was equally reliable defensively, recording a .988 fielding percentage across the season.

In the circle, Bracken anchored the pitching staff with a 3.08 ERA and a 13-9 record across 28 appearances. She struck out 185 batters over 141.0 innings while holding opponents to a .206 batting average.

Shurtz also turned in a strong campaign, posting a 2.45 ERA with a 13-8 record in 25 appearances. She totaled 114 strikeouts over 128.2 innings and recorded five shutouts on the season.

Defensively, Darby earned the GSC Gold Glove for second base after recording 97 putouts and 73 assists, finishing the year with a .971 fielding percentage to lead the conference's top defensive performers.

UAH now turns its attention to postseason play, as the Chargers prepare for the opening round of the Gulf South Conference Softball Championship. UAH is set to face Auburn Montgomery on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Choccolocco Park in Oxford.