Skyhawks Begin Year Three of Farmer Era This Weekend
2/5/2026 1:30:00 PM | Softball
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team begins its third season under head coach Chelsea Farmer this weekend at the Frank Griffin Classic in DeLand, Florida, hosted by Stetson. During the classic, the Skyhawks will take on Indiana State, Seton Hall and the host Hatters.
While Farmer is excited to begin the new season, what she is most excited about is not only the improvements she's seen on the field, but off the field as well.
"This season is going to be different, and that's what we are all so excited about," said Farmer. "We may be made up of mostly returners and the same coaching staff, but Team 42 is moving into the 2026 season as a completely different team, in the best way possible. Last year we were fast, this year we are faster. We've got a much more effective pitching staff to utilize this year, and our hitters are ready to put the ball in play. But most importantly, our culture and mindset have seen a total shift for the better, and I can't wait to see what this season brings."
UT Martin returns 14 players from last season, including nine of 10 starters. During the offseason, Farmer added six players for the 2026 season, including three freshmen and three transfers. Among the returning players are two Skyhawks who earned preseason honors from the Ohio Valley Conference as Players to Watch: catcher Avary Makarewicz and utility player Dylan Scott.
In her first season as a Skyhawk, Makarewicz made an immediate impact, leading the team with eight home runs. She finished the season with a .244 batting average, 31 hits, 15 runs, 20 RBIs, 18 walks and eight stolen bases. As a catcher, she committed just three errors and threw out 11 batters. Dylan Scott proved to be one of UT Martin's most consistent players last season, hitting .266 on the year. She had 33 hits, scored 20 runs, drove in 17 more and had six doubles, two triples and three home runs. In addition, she walked nine times and stole 11 bases.
Kyla Harley led all returners in batting average last season at .293 with 41 hits, 25 runs, five extra base hits, and a team-best 24 stolen bases. Kennedy Brown followed Harley by hitting .284 with 10 RBIs and 16 stolen bases, the second most on the team.
The one starter not returning for the Skyhawks is All-OVC selection Alli Robinson, who finished her eligibility last season. Robinson led UT Martin last season with a .311 average, 41 hits, 34 RBIs, eight doubles and two triples, in addition to 18 runs, 17 walks and six home runs.
In the circle, UT Martin returns the bulk of its pitching staff, including Ashtyn Green, who turned in the lowest ERA of any regular starter last season at 2.89. Green went 9-11 in the circle in 2025 with a team-high six shutouts, as well as 49 strikeouts and a .310 opponent's batting average.
Also returning in the circle is Natalie Kreuziger, who turned in a solid freshman season at 4-6 with a 4.38 ERA. She led the Skyhawks in strikeouts on the year with 74 and a team-low opponent's batting average amongst regular starters at just .283.
The 2026 season will feature 53 scheduled games, including five home conference series, two home midweek contests, and an early-season home tournament, the 2026 Skyhawk Invitational. This season, UT Martin will make the trip to three SEC schools: Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Missouri, as well as host former OVC rival Austin Peay at a neutral site game in Lexington, Tennessee.
The 2026 OVC Softball Championship is scheduled to return to the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria, Illinois, May 6-9. The tournament will feature the league's top eight teams competing in a combined single and double-elimination format.
While Farmer is excited to begin the new season, what she is most excited about is not only the improvements she's seen on the field, but off the field as well.
"This season is going to be different, and that's what we are all so excited about," said Farmer. "We may be made up of mostly returners and the same coaching staff, but Team 42 is moving into the 2026 season as a completely different team, in the best way possible. Last year we were fast, this year we are faster. We've got a much more effective pitching staff to utilize this year, and our hitters are ready to put the ball in play. But most importantly, our culture and mindset have seen a total shift for the better, and I can't wait to see what this season brings."
UT Martin returns 14 players from last season, including nine of 10 starters. During the offseason, Farmer added six players for the 2026 season, including three freshmen and three transfers. Among the returning players are two Skyhawks who earned preseason honors from the Ohio Valley Conference as Players to Watch: catcher Avary Makarewicz and utility player Dylan Scott.
In her first season as a Skyhawk, Makarewicz made an immediate impact, leading the team with eight home runs. She finished the season with a .244 batting average, 31 hits, 15 runs, 20 RBIs, 18 walks and eight stolen bases. As a catcher, she committed just three errors and threw out 11 batters. Dylan Scott proved to be one of UT Martin's most consistent players last season, hitting .266 on the year. She had 33 hits, scored 20 runs, drove in 17 more and had six doubles, two triples and three home runs. In addition, she walked nine times and stole 11 bases.
Kyla Harley led all returners in batting average last season at .293 with 41 hits, 25 runs, five extra base hits, and a team-best 24 stolen bases. Kennedy Brown followed Harley by hitting .284 with 10 RBIs and 16 stolen bases, the second most on the team.
The one starter not returning for the Skyhawks is All-OVC selection Alli Robinson, who finished her eligibility last season. Robinson led UT Martin last season with a .311 average, 41 hits, 34 RBIs, eight doubles and two triples, in addition to 18 runs, 17 walks and six home runs.
In the circle, UT Martin returns the bulk of its pitching staff, including Ashtyn Green, who turned in the lowest ERA of any regular starter last season at 2.89. Green went 9-11 in the circle in 2025 with a team-high six shutouts, as well as 49 strikeouts and a .310 opponent's batting average.
Also returning in the circle is Natalie Kreuziger, who turned in a solid freshman season at 4-6 with a 4.38 ERA. She led the Skyhawks in strikeouts on the year with 74 and a team-low opponent's batting average amongst regular starters at just .283.
The 2026 season will feature 53 scheduled games, including five home conference series, two home midweek contests, and an early-season home tournament, the 2026 Skyhawk Invitational. This season, UT Martin will make the trip to three SEC schools: Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Missouri, as well as host former OVC rival Austin Peay at a neutral site game in Lexington, Tennessee.
The 2026 OVC Softball Championship is scheduled to return to the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria, Illinois, May 6-9. The tournament will feature the league's top eight teams competing in a combined single and double-elimination format.
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
UT
/ SoftballSkyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 21
Tuesday, February 03
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 2, Episode 33
Monday, April 21
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 2, Episode 30
Thursday, April 10
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 2, Episode 27
Thursday, April 10