The preseason accolades keep rolling in for two of Auburn Softball’s key pieces.
Ahead of the 2023 season opener on Feb. 10, RHP [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] and 1B [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] continue to earn preseason nods from national media outlets.
Ellis returns to the roster following a stellar freshman campaign where she hit 20 home runs and scored 49 runs while slugging at a .772 clip. To open the 2023 season, Ellis has found a place on Softball America Preseason College Top 100 list, checking in at No. 76. She also ranks No. 77 on Extra Innings Softball’s Extra Elite 100 player rankings.
Not only is Ellis being recognized for her efforts at the plate, but her fielding is being noticed as well. Last season, she recorded 251 putouts and held a fielding percentage of .989. Extra Innings Softball has listed Ellis as College Softball’s No. 7 first baseman in their preseason ranks.
Penta, the anchor of Auburn’s pitching staff, has also earned preseason acknowledgment. Penta joins Ellis on Extra Innings Softball’s Extra Elite 100 list, as well as Softball America’s Preseason College Top 100 list at No. 47 and 61 respectively.
When breaking down her preseason ranking even further, Extra Innings Softball has named Penta the No. 14 pitcher in the country.
Penta struck out a whopping 269 batters last season while posting a 24-10 record in 42 appearances. Team USA Softball is expecting Penta to have another great season, which is why they have added her to the Top 50 watchlist for Player of the Year.
Ellis, Penta, and the rest of the Tigers will begin their run for another postseason berth on Feb. 10 in Clearwater, Florida as part of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. First up for Auburn will be St. John’s at 12:30 p.m. CT.
RELATED: Bri Ellis listed among FloSoftball’s top 10 sluggers in College Softball
RELATED: Auburn Softball projected to finish 8th in SEC
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]
[listicle id=60966]