LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Columbus State University softball standout Aubree Ussery has been named to the 2026 NFCA Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year Watchlist, as announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

The prestigious watchlist includes 118 student-athletes from across the country and is organized by NCAA regions, with up to 15 selections per region. Ussery represents Columbus State as one of 15 honorees from the Southeast Region, joining a group of the region's top performers.

A sophomore from LaGrange, Ga., Ussery has been a consistent offensive force for the Cougars this season. She is currently batting .448 with a 1.195 OPS, totaling 43 hits in 96 at-bats while starting all 30 games. Ussery has recorded eight doubles, six home runs, and 25 RBI, along with a .719 slugging percentage and .476 on-base percentage. She has also shown discipline at the plate with six walks and has been perfect in stolen base attempts (1-for-1).

Ussery's selection highlights her impact in the middle of the Cougar lineup and places her among the elite players in Division II softball this season.

The NFCA Division II Player of the Year and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year awards are voted on by the NFCA Division II All-American Committee, which consists of one head coach from each of the eight NCAA regions. Final award winners will be announced on May 27, one day prior to the start of the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Southeast Region Watchlist Selections
Kamryn Akins (Mars Hill) • Macauley Bailey (Carson-Newman) • Emily Blackwell (North Greenville) • Sadie Cecil (Mars Hill) • Taelor Chang (USC Beaufort) • Brianna Gallagher (Catawba) • Carson Hobbs (Anderson) • Emma King (Mount Olive) • Julia Moore (Young Harris) • Chloe Poss (North Georgia) • Sydnee Reeves (North Georgia) • Aubree Ussery (Columbus State) • Jenna Walling (Francis Marion) • Madalyn White (Francis Marion) • Madison Wilson (Lenoir-Rhyne)