The Tigers will hit the dirt on Feb. 10 to open the season but that 2023 NFCA Leadoff Classic is just the beginning of what is to come for Auburn softball this year.
Head coach Mickey Dean, entering his sixth season at the Tigers' helm, led the 2022 Auburn team to 40 wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Dean has a 163-90 record on The Plains and oversaw the program’s 900th overall win last season.
Auburn showed vast improvement from the 2021 season, although it is staring down a 1-4 record in its last five NCAA Regional games—each contest was decided by one run. The biggest boost a season ago was the power surge through an Auburn lineup that finished with the third highest home run total in school history with 86.
While continuing its success in the batter’s box is crucial, finding a way to scratch out road wins is the next hurdle for Dean’s team. In SEC play last season, Auburn had an 11-13 overall record, faring 3-9 in away contests.
Experience may be the factor that helps these wins come about. The Tigers return nine starters —losing none — and two pitchers. With 10 sophomores and six juniors, Auburn is certainly poised to make the jump.
Junior pitcher Maddie Penta will likely again serve as the workhorse for the staff like she did a season ago. The righty pitched the most innings and started the most games among SEC pitchers in 2022. Penta had a stellar season and racked up All-SEC First Team honors by posting a 1.76 earned run average and a conference-leading 24 wins.
Meanwhile, junior southpaw Shelby Lowe battled injury for much of the 2022 campaign. Lowe pitching at full health is key for Auburn’s success in 2023. Despite her health, she was able to lead the SEC in saves and mustered a 9-3 record on the season.
"We had so many injuries last year and especially to our pitching staff. Maddie was, I think, the only pitcher not on a pitch limit," Dean said. "To go into the season and not have all the pitchers limited, I think is beneficial."
At the plate, sophomore Bri Ellis returns as the team leader in home runs with 20 last season. That number was good enough for third in the SEC and first among SEC freshmen. It also set a new freshman home run record for the Tigers. Ellis anchored first base and the clean-up spot for Auburn.
Fellow sophomore Nelia Peralta will also look to continue her success on The Plains. The infielder started 52 games and batted third for much of the season. Peralta also tied for the SEC lead in doubles and posted a .313 batting average.
Carlee McCondichie will provide experience for the Tigers in 2023. The senior appeared in every game for Auburn last season and led the team in hits and average. She spent time in left field and at second base, showcasing her versatility on the diamond.
Makayla Packer, a junior utility player, appeared in 50 games last season. 49 of those were in the Tiger centerfield. Packer was second on the team with a .324 batting average and led the team in on-base percentage and runs.
"My focus and our focus right now is really defense," Dean said. "If you go back and take Oklahoma out of the picture offensively, but if you go back and look at the teams over the last four to five years that have been (at the College World Series) year in and year out, they were the best defensive team in their conference."
While there is a wealth of returning talent, the Tigers' coaching staff did not relax this offseason. Auburn added transfer sophomores Icess Tresvik and Annabelle Widra from North Carolina A&T and Michigan, respectively. Both players saw time in the field and in the circle last season.
The Tigers also added junior transfer KK McCrary, from Tennessee, who officially joined the program after sitting out the 2022 season due to intraconference transfer rules. The infielder appeared in 36 games for the Lady Vols.
Four talented freshmen start their college careers this season. Those joining the Tigers are Skylar Elkins, a catcher/utility player; Axe Milanowski, an infielder; Mille Roberts, a catcher/infielder; and Emmah Rolfe, a right-handed pitcher.
The Tigers home opener is against Austin Peay on Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. CST as part of the Tiger Invitational. The four-team tournament will run Feb. 17-19 and include Villanova and Dayton.
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Chase Black is a senior majoring in English education and minoring in sport communication. From Georgiana, Alabama, he started with The Plainsman in fall 2022.
Twitter: @chaseblack334
