Montgomery’s Taylor McKinney named Preseason Player of the Year by D1 Softball

WAKA Action 8 News,
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by WAKA Action 8 News

With the 2025 season just 10 days away for Troy, D1Softball.com announced Taylor McKinney as the Preseason Player of the Year and second overall in player rankings on a Troy roster projected to finish third.
“What a tremendous honor for Taylor, we are really excited for her,” head coach Eric Newell said. “This recognition comes as no surprise to our coaching staff as she has really developed into one of the most prolific hitters in our league and has been getting a lot of attention this preseason.”
D1Softball previously selected McKinney as the No. 10 second baseman in the country after 2024 saw her earn All-Sun Belt Second Team and NFCA All-Region First Team. She shined on the defensive end, ending the season on a .949 fielding percentage with 105 putouts, 61 assists and three double-plays in 175 chances.
At the plate, McKinney ranked in the top five among the Trojans with a .343 batting average (second), .550 slugging percentage (third) and .444 on-base percentage (second). The senior finished 2024 with 48 hits, 37 runs, 28 RBIs, 25 walks and two HBPs. She also had six home runs, which included a pair of walk-offs against South Alabama and Southern Miss, en route to the second-most multi-hit games for Troy (16).
“I’m truly honored to be named Preseason Player of the Year by D1 Softball,” McKinney said. “It’s a testament to the hard work and support from my teammates, coaches and everyone who has helped me get to this point. But at the end of the day, it’s just the beginning. I’m focused on pushing myself and this team to achieve even greater things this season.”
McKinney leads the Trojans on opening day of the 2025 season against Central Michigan on Friday, Feb. 7, at 2:30 p.m. to open the Trojan Classic.
D1 Softball Preseason Rankings
  1. Texas State
  2. James Madison
  3. Troy
  4. Louisiana
  5. South Alabama
  6. ULM
  7. Coastal Carolina
  8. Georgia Southern
  9. Marshall
  10. Southern Miss
  11. App State
  12. Georgia State
D1 Softball Preseason Accolades
Player of the Year: Taylor McKinney, Troy
Pitcher of the Year: Madison Azua, Texas State
Freshman of the Year: Mallory Wheeler, Louisiana
Player Rankings
1. Brooklyn Ulrich, Marshall
2. Taylor McKinney, Troy
3. Gabby Stagner, South Alabama
4. Bella Henzler, James Madison
5. Maddie Hayden, Louisiana
6. Payton List, James Madison
7. Georgia Hood, Coastal Carolina
8. Delaney Keith, Coastal Carolina
9. Reed Butler, James Madison
10. Sam Roe, Louisiana
11. Emma Davis, Georgia Southern
12. Bella Gerlach, Marshall
13. Madison Azua, Texas State
14. Laney Credeur, Louisiana
15. Jana Lee, Southern Miss
16. Ciara Trahan, Texas State
17. Morgan Brown, Louisiana-Monroe
18. Meagan Brown, Louisiana-Monroe
19. Olivia Branstetter, South Alabama
20. Alana Barnard, Georgia Southern

(Press Release from Troy University)

Categories: Sports, Troy

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