HBCU Athletic Conference reveals 2026 All-HBCUAC Teams, Players, Coaches of the Year
NORTHPORT, Ala. - The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) began the 2026 HBCUAC Softball Championship by announcing its 2026 All-HBCUAC Softball Teams and Players and Coaches of the Year.
The head coaches nominated and voted. The top players at each position earned First Team All-HBCUAC and the runner-up earned Second Team.
Player of the Year Jordan Howard, Oakwood
Hitter of the Year Alex Erwin, Stillman
Pitcher of the Year Mary-Elizabeth Landry, Dillard
Defensive Player of the Year Jessica Battiste, Dillard
Designated Player of the Year Alayali Alaniz, Huston-Tillotson
Utility Player of the Year Sa'Vya Sutherland, Dillard
Freshman of the Year Kieana Cruz, Huston-Tillotson
Newcomer of the Year Jessica Battiste, Dillard
Coach of the Year Joel Penfield, Stillman
Assistant Coach of the Year Katie Clifton, Stillman
First Team
P Mary-Elizabeth Landry, Dillard
P Emma Newby, Oakwood
P Alexis Tamez, Huston-Tillotson
C Anna Jones, Oakwood
1B Avary Lumpkin, Stillman
2B Alexis Gaona, Huston-Tillotson
3B Jessica Battiste, Dillard
SS Jordan Howard, Oakwood
LF Addison Nupsl, Stillman
CF Alex Erwin, Stillman
RF Sa'Vya Sutherland, Dillard
DP Alayali Alaniz, Huston-Tillotson
UT Sa'Vya Sutherland, Dillard
Second Team
P Karli Crocker, Stillman
P Ta'Nia Hickson, Voorhees
P Jasmine Wade, Stillman
C Aliyah Resendiz, Huston-Tillotson
1B Ja'Lise Stewart, Dillard
2B Amayiah Franklin, Dillard
3B Kieana Cruz, Huston-Tillotson
SS Lily Stone, Stillman
LF Madison Stimpson, Huston-Tillotson
CF Haley Weatherspoon, Dillard
RF Alayali Alaniz, Huston-Tillotson
DP Anna Sullivan, Stillman
UT Toni Sims, Oakwood
About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.