Carlee McCondichie – Syndication Server

Carlee McCondichie announces retirement from softball

Auburn’s primary second baseman shares her reasoning behind not using her fifth season of eligibility.

Twitter users worldwide were stunned to learn that new CEO Elon Musk placed limits on the number of tweets they could see over the weekend. One of the tweets many Auburn fans and college softball fans alike were able to see was [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag]’s announcement that she would be stepping away from softball.

McCondichie, Auburn’s primary second baseman over the last two seasons, was one of six notable athletes from Auburn’s 2023 roster to enter the transfer portal following the season. Four players have found new homes, while McCondichie has elected to go in another direction.

She tweeted Sunday afternoon that she will not use her 5th season of eligibility gained due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is sad when a young girl who has played the sport for 18 years of her 22-year life has no interest or desire in playing a 5th year,” McCondichie shared in a tweet.

Her reasoning behind stepping away from the game she has played for most of her life is due to feeling like she was seen as just an athlete and not a human. One instance that she mentioned was she was benched for “failing.” She included that she gave her all for Auburn softball, and was, in turn, benched on senior day.

“I will always continue to support Auburn Softball PLAYERS,” McCondichie said. “But for me, my softball career is OVER and the thought of even playing one game brings me much anxiety, sadly.”

Sophomore first baseman [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] shared a similar testimony last month.

“Why should we force ourselves to stay somewhere that we know isn’t right?” Ellis said in a tweet. “Why should we limit ourselves to stay exactly where we are when we as humans are meant to expand and flourish?”

Ellis has since transferred to Arkansas.

McCondichie’s college career ends with an average of .326, 98 hits, seven home runs, 50 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. In the field, she committed just seven errors in 166 games.

Check out McCondichie’s full thread here:

I will not be taking a 5th year. This thread is not directed towards Auburn University. I love Auburn with my whole heart and every single girl that is part of the Auburn softball program. It is sad when a young girl who has played the sport for 18 years of her 22 year life has https://t.co/qNqoH1qWPI

— carlee (@CMcCondichie) July 2, 2023

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Jessie Blaine set to transfer to fellow SEC program

Four members of the 2023 roster have found new homes, with three remaining in the SEC.

So far, four members of Auburn softball’s 2023 roster have found new homes out of the transfer portal. Three of them have announced that they will stay within the SEC.

First baseman [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] kicked off the trend by committing to Arkansas on June 18, and third baseman [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag] announced that she would be transferring to South Carolina earlier this week. Now, former Auburn utility player [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag] will make the move to a fellow SEC program, Mississippi State.

Blaine appeared in 110 games in two seasons at Auburn, making 86 starts. During her time at Auburn, Blaine saw time at catcher, designated player, first base, and right field. During her final season at Auburn, she started 27 games as the Tigers’ designated player and made four starts at catcher.

At the plate, she hit for a .263 average in two seasons with 64 hits, 11 home runs, and 55 RBI. She walked 42 times and struck out 33 times. She hit .285 with 39 hits, 9 home runs, and 37 RBI as a freshman in 2022.

Outside of the three SEC transfers, [autotag]Lindsey Garcia[/autotag] will make the move to Clemson for her final season of eligibility. Two players from Auburn remain in the transfer portal according to D1Softball, [autotag]Maia Engelkes[/autotag] and [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag].

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Auburn adds Maryland slugger from transfer portal

Amelia Lech ended the 2023 campaign with 16 home runs, which was the second-most in the Big Ten.

Auburn softball has found replacements for the two power hitters that it lost to the transfer portal.

After adding former DePaul star Anna Wohlers on Wednesday, former Maryland catcher [autotag]Amelia Lech[/autotag] announced that she would also transfer to Auburn. She announced her commitment to Auburn via Twitter with the caption “I’m all in. War Eagle” followed by two photos of her wearing her new team’s threads.

Auburn adds star power to its roster in the form of Lech, as she finished the 2023 season with 16 home runs, which is tied for second-most in the Big Ten with Nebraska‘s Billie Andrews. She was also top-10 in RBI with 47.

Lech had a breakout season in 2023 for the Terrapins. After playing in just 29 games during the 2022 season, Lech appeared in 57 games in 2023, making 53 starts. She recorded 41 hits, 11 doubles, 16 home runs, and drove in 47 runs while slugging .694. She hit for an average of .285 and struck out just 48 times in 144 at-bats.

Six members of Auburn’s 2023 roster entered the transfer portal, with Bri Ellis and Lindsey Garcia finding new homes. [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag], [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag], [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag], and [autotag]Maia Engelkes[/autotag] remain in the transfer portal as of the timing of this post.

I’m all in. War Eagle🦅💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/m5KhwrOwIY

— amelia lech (@amelia62746659) June 22, 2023

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Lindsey Garcia commits to ACC program

Garcia becomes the second former Tiger to find a new home out of the transfer portal.

Former Auburn outfielder [autotag]Lindsey Garcia[/autotag] did not have to go far to find her new home.

After ending the season with Auburn at McWhorter Stadium against the No. 16 overall seed Clemson Tigers in the Clemson Regional last month, Garcia has announced that she will use her final season of eligibility to stay in Clemson and play for the Tigers.

Garcia announced the news via Twitter on Wednesday in a concise manner. She tweeted a photo of her wearing Clemson’s purple uniform with a caption that featured just the paw print emoji. Her announcement featured just one character more than former teammate Bri Ellis’ announcement, where she tweeted just a photo of her wearing the Arkansas home uniform.

Garcia declared her intention to enter the transfer portal before Auburn’s trip to Clemson for the Clemson Regional. Garcia graduated from Auburn in May and shared that she would be entering the portal as a graduate student.

The native of Coral Springs, Florida appeared in 181 games for Auburn in four seasons and made 159 starts. She clubbed 21 home runs and sent 94 runs home while batting .270. She slugged .486 and struck out just 69 times in 444 total at-bats.

Garcia joins a talented Clemson team that has competed in two-straight NCAA Super Regionals. The Tigers return two-way star Valerie Cagle, slugging outfielder McKenzie Clark, and a solid run producer in Alia Logoelo for next season. Adding Garcia, who can produce equally at the plate and in the field, will definitely boost Clemson’s chances to make the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history.

So far, two of Auburn’s six transfer portal occupants have found new homes. Garcia is heading to Clemson while former first baseman, [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag], is staying in the SEC after announcing her commitment to Arkansas. [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag], [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag], [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag], and [autotag]Maia Englekes[/autotag] remain in the portal as of the timing of this post.

Auburn has added one player from the transfer portal to this point, as Big East 2nd team selection from DePaul, [autotag]Anna Wolhers[/autotag], announced her commitment to Auburn on Wednesday.

🐾 pic.twitter.com/nOEYmzgKlU

— lindsey (@lindseeygarcia) June 21, 2023

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Bri Ellis announces transfer destination

The 2022 SEC Freshman of the Year has found a new place to call home.

Auburn first baseman [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] surprised Tiger fans last month by announcing she was entering the transfer portal after spending the first two seasons of her college career on The Plains.

Late Sunday, Ellis revealed she has found a new place to come home. In a simple tweet, Ellis announced she will remain in the SEC by transferring to Arkansas.

Ellis was a staple of Auburn’s lineup since arriving on campus in 2022. During her freshman season, the Houston, Texas, native hit .302 with 20 home runs and 49 RBI. She ended her rookie season by earning several honors such as SEC Freshman of the Year.

Her 2023 season was just as special. She hit .275 with 14 home runs and 47 RBI. Over the last two seasons, Ellis led Auburn in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage.

The move to Arkansas should be a positive one for Ellis. Arkansas head coach Courtney Diefel has had a positive track record in developing acquired talent from the transfer portal.

Recently, former Alabama outfielder KB Sides was named SEC Player of the Year in 2022 after shattering personal bests in average, home runs, hits, RBI and stolen bases. The Razorbacks’ ace pitcher this season, Chenise Delce, also reached her full potential in Fayetteville after transferring from Tulsa. Over the last two seasons, Delce recorded 381 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.07.

At the time of this post, Ellis is the first of six Tigers on the 2023 roster to announce their destination after entering the transfer portal. [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag], [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag], [autotag]Lindsey Garcia[/autotag], [autotag]Maia Engelkes[/autotag] and [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag] remain in the transfer portal.

pic.twitter.com/QZRrxb1Drh

— Bri Ellis (@briellis1) June 19, 2023

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Denver Bryant becomes fifth Auburn Tiger to enter transfer portal

Bryant started in 81 games over three seasons at Auburn.

The tough news keeps coming for Auburn softball.

One day after three players announced their intention to enter the transfer portal, another key member of Auburn’s lineup has also declared that she will be looking for a new home.

Justin McLeod of Extra Innings Softball and Justin’s World of Softball reported that Auburn’s primary third baseman, [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag], has entered the transfer portal, becoming the fifth member of the 2023 roster to announce such a move. Bryant later shared a message via Twitter that seemed to confirm the decision.

“Thank you Auburn. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to play here. Thank you for the endless support. I’m excited to see where this path leads me,” Bryant tweeted Tuesday.

Bryant is yet another productive member of the Auburn lineup that will be moving on. In 2023, Bryant started in 42 games and appeared in 56 total games. She recorded career-highs in at-bats (116), hits (37), and walks drawn (14). She ends her Auburn career with a .312 average, 37 hits, 12 home runs, and 39 RBI. She also fielded at a .887 clip.

Bryant joins [autotag]Lindsey Garcia[/autotag], [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag], [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag], and [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag] as members of the 2023 roster that have entered the transfer portal.

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Softball year in review: Carlee McCondichie

The senior recorded a career-best RBI total during her senior campaign.

Auburn’s season came to an end on Sunday when the Tigers fell 5-1 at the hands of the Clemson Tigers in the final game of the regional hosted by their opponents.

Auburn had a productive year. The Tigers won 43 games for the first time in the [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] era and finished third in the SEC.

The end of the season brings reflection. After looking back at Aspyn Godwin’s season, it is now time to highlight senior utility player [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag]. McCondichie announced that she will be entering the transfer portal, but had a productive season for the Tigers.

Here is a look back at the season that was for senior, Carlee McCondichie.

Three more Tigers enter name into transfer portal

Three more players join Lindsey Garcia by declaring their intent to find a new home.

The Auburn Tigers’ softball season ended Sunday with a 5-1 loss to Clemson in the Clemson Regional final. Since then, four players have declared their intention to find a new home by entering the transfer portal.

Senior outfielder Lindsey Garcia kickstarted the movement by announcing that she would be entering as a graduate student prior to the Clemson Regional. Since then, three more have entered the portal.

Senior [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag] and sophomores [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag] and [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] all announced Monday that they will be looking for new homes. D1Softball has added their names to their transfer portal tracker.

McCondichie, like Garcia, has recently graduated from Auburn but has eligibility remaining due to her freshman season being the COVID-shortened year in 2020. She exits Auburn with a career average of .326 with 98 hits, seven home runs, and 50 RBI. She reached career highs in average (.338), hits (46), doubles (6), home runs (4), and slugging percentage (.500) in 2022. During the 2023 season, she sent home a personal-best 22 runs.

Blaine enters the portal after completing her second season on the Plains. She saw action in 110 games over the last two years, starting in 86 of those. After starting in 53 of 54 games in 2022, her production took a hit in 2023 as started in 20 fewer games. Because of this, she was only able to muster 25 hits, two home runs, and 18 RBI, as opposed to the 39/9/37 she built as a true freshman.

The announcement that shook the Auburn fan base is the one made by Bri Ellis, the power-hitting first baseman for the Tigers. The 2022 Freshman of the Year had another excellent campaign in 2023 by batting .275 with 14 home runs and 47 RBI. In just two seasons, Ellis has hit for a .288 average with 87 hits, 34 HR, and 96 RBI, while slugging .685.

It is still early in the process, but Auburn already appears to be heading into rebuilding mode as two productive seniors, as well as two valuable underclassmen, are looking for new homes for the 2024 season. Auburn concluded their 2023 season with a 43-19 record, their best under [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag].

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Lindsey Garcia to enter the transfer portal

A valuable piece to Auburn’s lineup will enter the transfer portal as a graduate student.

A valuable piece to Auburn softball’s lineup is reportedly entering the transfer portal as a graduate student.

[autotag]Lindsey Garcia[/autotag], who has started in 157 games over the last four seasons for Auburn, will enter the transfer portal for her fifth season of eligibility. Justin McLeod of Extra Innings Softball first reported the news, and D1Softball has officially added her name to their Transfer Portal tracker.

Garcia entered the transfer portal prior to Auburn’s stay at the Clemson Regional but played in all five of Auburn’s games. She recorded five hits and three RBI over the weekend.

Garcia has been a productive member of Auburn’s lineup over the last four seasons, but her best season came in 2023 as a senior. The Coral Springs, Florida product started in all 59 games for the Tigers this season, which marks the second straight season in which she has started every game for Auburn. She hit .277 for Auburn in 2023, and recorded career-bests in doubles (23), home runs (10), and RBI (43).

She ends her Auburn career with an average of .269 with 21 home runs and 94 RBI. As an outfielder, Garcia recorded 115 putouts in her four-year career and fielded at a .939 clip.

Garcia is the first-known player to enter the portal from the 2023 roster. Auburn had a total of four seniors on their roster this season, including [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag], [autotag]Maia Englekes[/autotag], and [autotag]Aspyn Godwin[/autotag].

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South Carolina blanks Auburn softball to even series

Auburn will get another chance to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

The Auburn Tigers (36-15, 12-8 SEC) fell 8-0 at the hands of the South Carolina Gamecocks (33-16, 8-12 SEC) on Saturday afternoon.

Auburn did not record a hit in the run-rule affair and only had two base runners during the contest. [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag] walked and[autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] was hit by a pitch.

The Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead on a throwing error in the 2nd inning and began to run away from the Tigers in the 4th inning. South Carolina’s Guilia Desiderio hit her first of two home runs in the game when she cranked a three-run blast to left field to extend South Carolina’s lead to 4-0 in the 4th.

South Carolina added four more runs in the 5th inning when Desiderio and Jordan Fabian each hit two-run homers. Desiderio’s second home run of the game was the final blow, which put the run rule into effect.

[autotag]Annabelle Wildra[/autotag] got the start for the Tigers and allowed four runs off of two hits, walked three batters, and struck out five in 3.2 innings in the circle.

Donnie Gobourne got the start for the Gamecocks, only walking one batter and striking out seven in five innings of action.

The rubber match is set for Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CDT and will broadcast on SEC Network+.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Daniel on Twitter @DanielJLocke

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