BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Gulf South Conference released its 2026 softball preseason awards on Thursday afternoon, as Montevallo was voted to finish seventh in the league, while a pair of Falcons were named Preseason All-GSC honorees.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

Montevallo garnered 59 points to capture the seventh-place spot, following behind sixth-place Valdosta State (72). West Florida captured 115 points and six first-place votes to earn the top-spot, while AUM picked up the remaining six first-place votes and 114 points overall to rank second. Mississippi College (95), UAH (93), and West Alabama (74) rounded out the top-five.

The 2025 season saw the Falcons finish seventh in league play with a 19-14 GSC record. Montevallo went on to go 1-2 in the GSC Tournament, which included a thrilling, 1-0, victory in extra innings over West Alabama.

A pair of Falcons received preseason honors, as Taylor Lloyd and Riley Tyree were named to the Preseason All-GSC Team.

Lloyd made history last year, finishing with the best-earned run average by any Falcon pitcher in a single season (2.10 ERA). Lloyd also set new single season program records for wins and complete games. The Soddy Daisy, Tenn., native was named GSC Pitcher of the Week twice last season and garnered Second Team All-GSC honors. Tyree finished the 2025 campaign with the best batting average on the team (.320). The Trussville, Ala., native led the team in hits (57), doubles (12), triples (five), sacrifice flies (four), and at-bats (178). Tyree ranked top-15 in the GSC in all five of those categories.

Montevallo opens the 2026 season at the Gulf Shores Invitational (Jan. 31-Feb. 1).