BOWIE, Md. – Bowie State University softball standout Taylor Dawkins has been selected as an NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Player to Watch, adding another preseason distinction to an already impressive résumé as the Bulldogs prepare for the upcoming 2027 season.
The Ridgely, Md., native enters the season following a breakout 2026 campaign in which she established herself as one of the top offensive performers in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Dawkins helped lead Bowie State to a perfect 16-0 conference record and a 24-21 overall finish, earning First Team All-CIAA honors as a utility player and D2CCA First Team All-Atlantic Region recognition.
Dawkins Coming Off Career-Best Season
Dawkins was a consistent force in the middle of the Bowie State lineup throughout the 2026 campaign, leading the Bulldogs with a .413 batting average. She appeared in 40 games and made 37 starts, recording 52 hits, eight doubles, two triples and eight home runs.
Her production extended beyond her power numbers, as Dawkins drove in a team-best 40 runs, scored 32 runs and collected 88 total bases. She finished the season with a .698 slugging percentage and .460 on-base percentage, while also stealing 11 bases in 13 attempts.
Dawkins' offensive production placed her among the conference's top hitters. She finished the 2026 season with the highest batting average, slugging percentage, number of hits, RBIs, home runs and total bases on the Bowie State roster.
Continued Development at the Plate
The upcoming season provides Dawkins with an opportunity to build on the offensive momentum she established in 2026. Her ability to hit for average while providing power and speed gives the Bulldogs a versatile offensive weapon entering the new campaign.
Dawkins also demonstrated her ability to impact the game in multiple ways last season, contributing defensively at several positions while serving as a dependable presence throughout the Bowie State lineup. Her versatility was a major factor in her selection as a First Team All-CIAA utility player.
A Rising Regional Standout
Dawkins' selection as an Atlantic Region Player to Watch comes after she earned significant recognition following the 2026 season. In addition to her First Team All-CIAA selection, she was named to the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region First Team, becoming one of just five CIAA student-athletes recognized on the All-Region team
Her postseason honors followed a season in which she emerged as one of the most productive hitters in the CIAA. Dawkins' combination of batting average, power, run production and speed makes her one of the Bulldogs' key returners heading into 2027.
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