OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Coastal Carolina softball standout Georgia Hood has been named to the 2026 USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List, the association announced Wednesday.
 
The watch list recognizes the nation's top Division I student-athletes and features players from 24 universities across five athletic conferences.
 
Hood's recognition comes as no surprise after earning NFCA All-America third team, NFCA All-Region first team, and All-Sun Belt Conference second team honors. The first baseman also finished the season ranked 14th nationally in home runs (21) and 17th in the NCAA in on-base percentage (.547).
 
A native of Mount Gambier, Australia, Hood delivered a dominant season at the plate, leading the Chanticleers in batting average (.430), hits (64), RBIs (51), slugging percentage (.866), and on-base percentage (.548). She recorded 19 multi-hit games and 17 multi-RBI performances, while driving in the game-winning run in 13 contests during the season.
 
The Chants are set to open the 2026 season Feb. 6–8, hosting No. 8 Arkansas, Virginia, and Akron for the Kickin' Chicken Classic.
 
Tickets can be purchased here.
 
For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSoftball (X), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), and Facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at GoCCUSports.com.