TAMPA, Fla. – Listed below are the Sun Conference Softball Players to Watch for the 2026 season as submitted by each institution.

The season commences on Friday, January 30th with the first conference series to begin on Friday, February 27th. The Sun Conference Tournament will start on Thursday, April 30 and conclude Saturday, May 2.

Check out the 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll by clicking here.
 

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Ave Maria

Notes: Hailee Howe played all but one game last season and started in 35 of the 42 contests. She compiled the second best batting average on the team among players that hit the minimum requirement with a .312 and had the highest OPS with an .811. Howe collected 34 hits last season with 10 of them going for extra bases, including one home run at New College.

Notes: Kaedyn Sutton is back in the circle for the Gyrenes after another great year in 2025. Sutton won the most games for Ave Maria last season with a 9-7 record. In over 97 innings, Sutton racked up 33 strikeouts and posted an ERA of 3.31 and a WHIP of 1.38, the lowest on the team. Sutton also commanded the strike zone well last year with no wild pitches and only one hit batsman.

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Coastal Georgia

Notes: After an outstanding freshman campaign, Emma returns as one of Coastal Georgia’s most reliable bats. Appearing in 52 games with 50 starts, she ranked second on the team in both batting average (.355) and hits (49) while adding five doubles and 27 RBI. Known for her plate discipline, she struck out just six times in 138 at-bats and showcased her consistency with an 11-for-15 stretch against ABAC and Warner. A First Team All-Sun Conference selection and NAIA Scholar Athlete, she heads into 2026 poised to build on an already impressive debut season.

Notes: After starting all 54 games in 2025, Rylee returns as one of the Mariners’ most complete performers. A true two-way standout, she led the team in nearly every major offensive category, hitting .358 with 58 hits, a school-record 16 doubles, and 41 RBI while posting a .446 on-base percentage. In the circle, she was just as dominant, logging a team-high 157.1 innings with a 2.00 ERA and 14 complete games. Already fourth in program history with 27 career wins, the First Team All-Sun Conference and NFCA First Team All honoree enters 2026 poised to anchor Coastal Georgia on both sides of the ball.

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Florida Memorial

Notes: Enrique enters her third season as an FMU lion. The infielder has averaged a .373 batting average in her two pervious seasons, along with five home runs.

Notes: Hoys gets set for her second season as an FMU Lion. She started six games last year for FMU and an expect a bigger role heading into 2026.

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Keiser

Notes: Genesis Iglesias returns as one of the most complete players in the Sun Conference after an outstanding 2025 campaign. She started all 53 games, led the team with 60 hits and 47 RBI, and paced the lineup with a .366 batting average. Iglesias added 38 runs, 10 stolen bases, and 21 extra-base hits, while anchoring the infield with 83 putouts and 154 assists. She earned First Team All-Sun Conference honors, along with Academic All-Conference and NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition. After leading the Sun Conference in assists in 2024, Iglesias continues to be a cornerstone on both sides of the ball.

Notes: Mackenzie Masternak returns after a impressive 2025 season in the circle, posting a 17–7 record with a school-record 1.85 ERA. She logged 158.2 innings, recorded 76 strikeouts, and threw 14 complete games with two shutouts. Masternak earned First Team All-Sun Conference honors and was also named CSC Academic All-District.

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New College of Florida

Notes: Was a Three-time All-League First Team selection at East Valley High School (Yakima, Washington), earned Second Team All-Conference honoree as a freshman at Southwestern Oregon Community College and a First Team All-Conference honoree as a sophomore at Southwestern Oregon.

Notes: Ebert had a decorated high school career that saw her earn Miami Sun Sentinel’s Broward Softball First Team (2025) and Miami Herald All-Broward First Team (2025) honors. Was named Broward County All-Stars MVP, as well as All County Sports All-Broward Softball Second Team selection by the Miami Herald (2024) and an honorable Mention All-Broward selection by the Sun Sentinel (2024).

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Southeastern

Notes: Brooks has been a model of consistency and impact in her two seasons with the Fire, starting every game and emerging as one of the program’s top all-around performers. She owns a career batting average near .385, combining high-contact hitting with speed and discipline at the plate, while scoring 40 runs in each season and stealing more than 70 bases. Her production has been matched by recognition on both the field and in the classroom, earning multiple All-Sun Conference and All-Region honors along with repeated Academic All-District and NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades.

Notes: Zelenka emerged as one of the nation’s premier pitchers in just her sophomore season, posting a dominant 17-4 record with an SEU single-season record 1.30 ERA while throwing 13 complete games and six shutouts. She logged nearly 140 innings, struck out 103 batters, and held opponents to a .204 average, highlighted by a stretch of seven shutouts in eight games and a statement road series at No. 15 St. Thomas. Her rapid rise, building off a strong freshman campaign, earned her First-Team All-Sun Conference, NFCA All-Region, and NAIA All-American honors.

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St. Thomas

Notes: A 2025 All-Conference First Team honoree, Achenbach boasted a .368 batting average with a .615 slugging percentage off five doubles, seven triples and eight home runs while scoring 41 runs.

Notes: Holds a career ERA of 4.97, sporing a 3.00 mark in 2025 with two saves. Held opponents to a .222 batting average

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Warner

Notes: Set for a powerful return, Alisha Wagoner enters the season determined to make her statement after missing the 2025 campaign due to injury. A high-intensity competitor, Wagoner brings the same edge to every at-bat and every defensive rep, pairing explosive pop at the plate with a sharp, instinctive glove in the middle infield. Her outstanding game IQ consistently puts her in the right place at the right time, while her experience and leadership provide a steady presence for the Royals. Healthy and motivated, Wagoner’s impact on both sides of the ball makes her a standout name to watch in the SUN Conference.

Notes: Entering her third season with the Royals, Keirsten Garman has continued to grow into one of Warner University’s most reliable arms. After stepping into the spotlight and delivering impressive performances during the 2025 campaign, Garman has proven she can compete at a high level in the circle. Her determination, composure, and increasing experience set the tone for the pitching staff, while her leadership continues to shine within the program. With confidence built from past success and a competitive edge every time she takes the ball, Garman stands out as one of the top pitchers to watch during the 2026 season.

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Webber International

Notes: Kohout is a defensive wizard in the outfield, recording 41 putouts on the season. She will look to use her speed in the outfield and the base paths to help take away runs on defense and create runs on offense.

Notes: Thomas returns as the top pitcher for the Warriors in the circle this season. The former SUN Conference Freshman of the Year will look to build on her career year last season, pitching to a 2.12 ERA while striking out 158 batters to only 46 walks.