Tag: Bri Ellis

Bri Ellis named SEC softball Player of the Week

Ellis was a blistering .714 at the plate with seven extra-base hits in six games.

[autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] had a tremendous freshman season for the Auburn Tigers and her sophomore season is off to a great start. The first baseman was 10-for-14 with four home runs and three doubles in Auburn’s six wins last week.

Her .714 batting average and 1.786 slugging percentage earned her the SEC Player of the Week award. It is her fourth SEC honor after being named the SEC Freshman of the Week three times last season.

She is now hitting .474 on the season and leads the team in OPS (1.527), doubles (4), home runs (5), RBI (20), and slugging percentage (.974). Her 25 career home runs are the 12th most in program history, just 16 games into her sophomore season.

Her hot week helped Auburn extend their winning streak to 13 games after going 6-0 last week. They will return to action Wednesday at Troy and will return to Jane B. Moore Field Friday for the Jane B. Moore Memorial Tournament.

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Scouting Auburn Softball’s Plainsman Invite opponents

The No. 20 Auburn Tigers welcome Merrimack, Brown, and North Dakota State to Jane B. Moore Field for a full weekend slate.

The No. 20 Auburn Tigers are set to host another full weekend of games at Jane B. Moore Field.

This weekend, Auburn welcomes a trio of northern programs in Merrimack, Brown, and North Dakota State for the annual Plainsman Invite that will begin Friday when the Merrimack Warriors face Brown at 11:30 a.m. CT.

Auburn’s run in the round-robin-style weekend series begins at 3 p.m. CT on Friday by taking on Merrimack. The Tigers will hit the field again on Friday to face Brown at 5:30. Before the weekend ends, Auburn will play North Dakota State twice, and Merrimack once more.

As Auburn prepares for its’ third weekend of action, two of Auburn’s opponents are just getting their seasons’ underway. Merrimack played in one game of the Charleston Southern kickoff last weekend before the tournament was postponed. As for Brown, the Bears begin their season in Auburn on Friday.

North Dakota State, a 30-game winner from a year ago, enters the weekend at 4-6 after playing a total of ten games in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Mexico.

Auburn is 9-1, with its lone loss coming to Pittsburgh during the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida on Feb. 11. [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] and [autotag]Icess Tresvik[/autotag] each hit two-run blasts in Auburn’s most recent win, a 10-1 victory over UAB on Wednesday.

This weekend’s Plainsman Invite will only be broadcasted Saturday on SEC Network+. Each game of the weekend can be heard on the Auburn Sports Network through the mobile app, or locally on 99.9 FM.

Get to know Auburn’s Plainsman Invite opponents ahead of this weekend’s action by checking out each team’s profile below.

Productive first inning leads Auburn to run-rule win over UAB

Auburn smacks three home runs in their first midweek game of the season.

After two straight weekends of round-robin tournament play, the No. 20 Auburn Tigers welcomed in-state foe UAB for a midweek tilt on Wednesday.

Behind a multiple-hit performance from [autotag]Nelia Peralta[/autotag], [autotag]Icess Tresvik[/autotag], and [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag], the Tigers snagged a convincing win, defeating the Blazers 10-1 in five innings at Jane B. Moore Field.

Auburn got off to a great start by scoring half of their runs in the 1st inning. [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag] and [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag] each recorded RBI singles in the inning while Bri Ellis and [autotag]Annabelle Widra[/autotag] each clubbed long balls in the inning to move Auburn ahead, 5-0.

Auburn extended its lead to 6-0 in the 2nd inning on a Nelia Peralta double that scored Icess Tresvik. One inning later, Tresvick smashed a two-run blast that was set up by a Makayla Packer RBI triple to extend the Tigers’ lead to 9-0.

The Tigers’ final run would be courtesy of [autotag]Aubrie Lisenby[/autotag]. Lisenby recorded an infield single on the first pitch of her at-bat in the 4th inning that scored [autotag]Axe Milanowski [/autotag]to give Auburn a 10-1 lead. UAB’s lone run of the game took place earlier in the inning when Sierra Frasier hit a solo home run to left field.

Ellis and Tresvik each recorded two hits and two-run home runs in the game to lead the Tigers’ offensive attack. In the circle, [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] allowed zero hits and zero runs while striking out three batters in 3.0 innings. Widra and [autotag]Shelby Lowe[/autotag] pitched the final two innings combining to allow two hits and striking out two batters.

Auburn softball returns to Jane B. Moore Field this weekend to host the Plainsman Invite. Auburn will face Merrimack, Brown, and North Dakota State over the three-day tournament.

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D1Softball lists Bri Ellis as SEC’s top first baseman

There’s no doubt that Bri Ellis will end the season as one of the SEC’s top players.

The SEC is expected to be one of the nation’s toughest conferences in softball this season, and it is easy to see why.

The conference is projected to send 12 of its’ 13 members to the postseason in 2023, and many of its athletes are being recognized with preseason accolades. One of those talented players is Auburn’s first baseman, [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag].

Ellis had a special freshman season by hitting 20 home runs and slugging.772 in 2022 and has earned another preseason mention, this time from D1Softball. D1Softball recently released its first baseman power rankings for the 2023 season and has listed Ellis as the No. 5 first baseman in the country, which places her with the top honor among SEC first basemen.

Ellis’ success at the plate put her on the map last season, but her fielding efforts were outstanding as well. She recorded 251 putouts last season and was a part of nine double plays while fielding at a .989 clip.

The honor from D1Softball is one of many preseason nods that Ellis has received this preseason. She has also been named a top-100 player by both Extra Innings Softball and Softball America and was named to FloSoftball’s top 10 sluggers list.

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SEC coaches pick Auburn to finish 9th in preseason poll

Auburn Softball is one of ten SEC programs that will begin the season in the top 25.

After winning 40 games last season, the Auburn Tigers are looking to build off of last season’s success and make a deeper run in the NCAA postseason.

The SEC is predicted to be one of the nation’s best conferences again in 2023, as ten teams will begin the season ranked in D1Softball’s preseason poll. With so many strong teams, how will the final standings shake out? Those who know the SEC best, the respective head coaches of the 13  programs that make up the SEC, have revealed their predictions for how they see the conference season unfolding.

For Auburn, the Tigers are projected to finish 9th in the conference.

Florida, the SEC’s lone representative in the 2022 Women’s College World Series, has been voted as the favorite to win the SEC this season. Last season’s tournament champion, Arkansas, is projected to finish 3rd.

Many of Auburn’s offensive weapons return for the 2023 season including [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] and [autotag]Nelia Peralta[/autotag], as well as strikeout units in [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] and [autotag]Shelby Lowe[/autotag].

Here’s a look at the 2023 SEC Coaches Preseason poll.

1 Florida
2 Tennessee
3 Arkansas
4 Alabama
5 LSU
6 Georgia
7 Kentucky
8 Missouri
9 Auburn
10 Ole Miss
11 Mississippi State
12 Texas A&M
13 South Carolina

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Ellis, Penta earn national preseason recoginition

Preseason mentions are continuing to roll in for two of Auburn’s key pieces.

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

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Auburn Softball named a ‘Team to Watch’ in SEC

What is Auburn Softball’s ceiling in 2023? D1Softball weighs in.

After winning 40 games last season, the No. 19 Auburn Tigers are poised for another big season.

The Tigers return two of three key pitchers from last season and a myriad of solid bats in the lineup that will be sure to lead them to success. That is why D1Softball has listed Auburn as a “team to watch” in the SEC this season.

As part of their SEC preview, D1Softball believes that Auburn has all the pieces needed to take a step forward in 2023.

The Tigers have all the pieces to make another jump this season providing they can stay healthy, especially in the circle. [autotag]Shelby Lowe[/autotag] tried to pitch through pain for the entirety of the 2022 season and her performance understandably suffered. It put even more pressure on [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag], who threw 195.0 innings. If both are back to full strength following Lowe’s offseason surgery, there are few duos in the conference or the country that can match them. The Tigers added some pitcher/utility players to give them more depth in multiple areas. Auburn’s increased strength and conditioning work was apparent last season by the major boost in the offensive numbers. [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag], [autotag]Nelia Peralta[/autotag] and [autotag]Makayla Packer[/autotag] are among the players returning who can provide another jolt.

The Tigers open the 2023 slate on Friday, Feb. 11 in Clearwater, Fla. at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Auburn will compete with St. John’s, Fordham, Pittsburgh, Indiana, and Illinois during opening weekend.

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Auburn Softball projected to finish 8th in SEC

D1Softball predicts Auburn to make another run to the NCAA Tournament in 2023.

The 2022 Auburn Tigers returned to a familiar level of play last season by winning 40 games and making a run toward an NCAA Tournament berth.

The excitement continues to build for [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag]’s squad as many of last season’s pieces return in 2023. D1Softball believes that Auburn will build on last season’s success, and make another trip to the postseason.

In what is expected to be a challenging conference slate, D1Softball.com has Auburn projected to finish the season as the No. 8 team in the SEC.

While Auburn is projected to finish in the bottom half of the SEC, the strength of the conference needs to be considered. Despite a No. 8 prediction, Auburn enters the D1Softball preseason poll at No. 19, with seven SEC teams ranked above them.

D1Softball.com’s Projected SEC Standings

  1. Florida
  2. Arkansas
  3. Alabama
  4. Georgia
  5. Tennessee
  6. LSU
  7. Kentucky
  8. Auburn
  9. Ole Miss
  10. Missouri
  11. Mississippi State
  12. Texas A&M
  13. South Carolina

[autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] and [autotag]Shelby Lowe[/autotag] return to anchor the pitching staff, while [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag], [autotag]Nelia Peralta[/autotag], [autotag]Aspyn Godwin[/autotag], and a plethora of others return to provide offensive power.

The Tigers open the season on Friday, Feb. 10 in Clearwater, Fla. as part of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Auburn will face St. John’s and Fordham on opening day.

RELATED: Bri Ellis listed among FloSoftball’s top 10 sluggers in College Softball

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Auburn Softball to open season in D1Softball’s preseason top 25

Auburn is in a good place to capitalize on last season’s 40-win campaign.

Auburn Softball enjoyed its best season since 2018 last year by winning 40  games and making an appearance in the Clemson Regional of the NCAA Softball Tournament.

This season, Auburn’s expectations have risen due to the return of several sluggers and solid pitchers. The potential that Auburn brings into the 2023  season has certainly weighed in on the national media, as the Tigers have made the cut in a preseason top 25 ranking.

D1Softball recently released its preseason rankings and has Auburn opening the season as the No. 19 team in the country. Auburn is one of ten SEC programs to earn a place in D1Softball’s initial rankings.

Auburn returns a plethora of hitters to its lineup including [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag], who led the team in home runs, RBI, and slugging percentage in 2022. Notable bats such as [autotag]Aspyn Godwin[/autotag], [autotag]Nelia Peralta[/autotag], and [autotag]Makayla Packer[/autotag] also return to the roster.

[autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] and [autotag]Shelby Lowe[/autotag] return to the pitching circle as juniors this season. Last year the duo combined to strike out 398 batters, 128 of those strikeouts were against SEC competition.

Here is a look at the initial poll from D1Softball.com

1 Oklahoma
2 UCLA
3 Oklahoma State
4 Florida State
5 Florida
6 Alabama
7 Northwestern
8 Arkansas
9 Clemson
10 Georgia
11 Stanford
12 Tennessee
13 Virginia Tech
14 Texas
15 UCF
16 Kentucky
17 LSU
18 Arizona
19 Auburn
20 Louisiana
21 Washington
22 Duke
23 Oregon
24 North Texas
25 Ole Miss

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Bri Ellis listed among FloSoftball’s top 10 sluggers in College Softball

The sophomore led the team in home runs, RBI, and slugging percentage last season.

Auburn Softball won its most games since 2018 last season, and then-freshman [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] was an essential reason why.

The Tigers’ first baseman led the team in home runs (20), RBI (49), and slugging percentage (.772). Her performance in 2022 has caught the attention of the national media, including FloSoftball.

Ahead of the 2023 season, FloSoftball has released its “Top 10 Sluggers In College Softball For 2023” list, which includes Ellis. FloSoftball’s Briar Napier says that Ellis’ slugging and timely hits will help Auburn return to the level of success that they enjoyed during the mid-2010s.

The Houston native burst onto the scene immediately for the Tigers in her first year with the team, helping Auburn bounce back from a subpar 27 wins in 2021 to an impressive 40 in 2022.

Ellis garnered the SEC’s Freshman of the Year award and a place on its all-conference second team.

The honors were well-deserved for the 5-foot-10 first baseman, who tallied 20 home runs and 49 RBIs against the loaded pitching staffs of the SEC. She posted a .772 slugging percentage with it, for the second-best mark by a freshman in Auburn history.

Ellis had 15 multi-RBI games and did even better at the plate when Tiger teammates were in scoring position (.356 batting average with runners on second and/or third, compared to .302 normally), solidifying herself as not just a powerful hitter, but an opportunistic one – a key attribute for a player to have in one of the country’s most cutthroat conferences.

Cydney Sanders, Grace Lyons, and Tiare Jennings of Oklahoma, as well as Erin Coffey from Kentucky join Ellis on this list.

Auburn Softball opens the 2023 season on Friday, Feb. 10 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida. The Tigers will face St. John’s, Fordham, Pittsburgh, Indiana, and Illinois as part of opening weekend.

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