By Monte Perez


The University of Fort Lauderdale (UFTL) softball team is entering the 2026 South Regional Tournament in Jacksonville. The season was highlighted by a 6-game winning streak from March 18th to March 26th. The Eagles, led by head coach Kyle Davis, recently split doubleheaders against Webber International and Warner University.

2026 Key Player Performance:
The roster features several consistent contributors:

• Ava Gelm (P): Led the team with 9 wins and reached the 100 strikeouts milestone for the season.
• Tavyn Gage (UTL): Led the team with a .271 batting average and recorded 12 stolen bases in 14 attempts.
• Cheyenne Southers (OF): Overcame an early-season injury to post a .257 batting average, ranking second on the team.
• Sarah Messina (C): A lineup mainstay who started 35 of 41 games, she led the team with 16 RBI and ranking third in batting average at .255.
• Taylor Wilt (C/1B): Had a breakout sophomore season, hitting .255 to rank fourth in batting average among regular starters. 

Postseason Outlook:

Coach Kyle Davis said," I am really proud of the way our team has battled and won games the second half of the season. If we play to our potential ,we have a great shot of winning the South Regional."

The Eagles are seeking their third consecutive South Regional title, having won the championship in both 2024 and 2025 They are highly likely to face Paine College in the opening round, a familiar postseason opponent. The Eagles defeated Paine 8-7 in the 2025 Championship game