Tag: Denver Bryant

Auburn softball season preview: A look at Auburn softball’s top returning hitters

As we prepare for Auburn’s season-opening game on Friday, let’s examine the Tigers’ top lineup pieces.

Auburn softball returns to the diamond this week and will have plenty of experienced lineup pieces to work with this season.

The Tigers lost several talented members of its 2023 roster last season due to the transfer portal such as [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag], [autotag]Lindsey Garcia[/autotag], and [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag]. However, Auburn is a top-25 team in several national polls due to the players that stayed.

Among those returning are the team leaders in average, runs, hits, and stolen bases. From Nelia Peralta to Icess Tresvik, here is a look at the top ten returning hitters to Auburn’s lineup.

Auburn checks in at No. 20 in Softball America’s preseason top 25 poll

The Tigers are one of nine SEC squads to be featured in Softball America’s initial poll for the 2024 season.

The Auburn Tigers are poised for another strong season in 2024 and will begin the season ranked in the top 25 of one publication’s preseason poll.

Softball America has released its preseason top 25 poll ahead of the 2024 season, and Auburn checks in at No. 20.

The Tigers are one of nine SEC squads to find a place in the preseason poll. Tennessee is the conference’s highest-rated team at No. 2. Georgia (No. 6) and Arkansas (No. 8) round out the SEC’s top-10 representation. LSU, South Carolina, and Texas A&M are in the top 20 with a No. 12, No. 17, and No. 19 ranking respectively. Auburn is next at No. 20, followed by Alabama (No. 21) and Florida (No. 24).

Future SEC members Oklahoma and Texas are also in the poll. The Sooners will begin the season as the nation’s No. 1 team while Texas is not far behind at No. 7.

The Tigers are looking to earn a spot in the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2016. Last season, Auburn finished the season with 43 wins, the most since the 2017 season. Pitcher [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] and shortstop [autotag]Nelia Peralta[/autotag] headline Auburn’s returning stars for the 2024 season, a year in which head coach Mickey Dean will look to find replacements for key contributors such as [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag], [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag], and [autotag]Lindsey Garcia[/autotag].

Auburn opens the 2024 season on Friday, Feb. 9 against Virginia Tech as part of the Tiger Invitational.

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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]Ā 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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Denver Bryant to join another SEC program

She is the second Auburn transfer to commit to an SEC rival.

Former Auburn third baseman [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag] has announced that she will be transferring to South Carolina. She broke the news Monday on Twitter.

Bryant will join the Gamecocks with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Throughout her three seasons on the Plains, Bryant recorded a batting average of .312, 68 hits, 12 home runs, a slugging percentage of .550 and an on-base percentage of .373.

In the field, Bryant produced a .877 fielding percentage while only committing 19 errors to go with 69 putouts and 66 assists.

The Albany, Georgia native was a crucial part of Auburn’s success during her time with the program and South Carolina will notice her impact on the field immediately. With Auburn hosting the 2024 SEC Softball Tournament, Bryant will be making an appearance in Auburn then if not during the regular season.

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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.

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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.

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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.

RELATED: Bri Ellis gives insight on what led to her deciding to enter the transfer portal

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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 Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

Auburn softball Year in Review: Rose Roach

Roach’s second season at Auburn was filled with new career highs.

Auburnā€™s season came to an end at the hands of theĀ Clemson Tigers in the final game of the Clemson Regional last week.

The Tigers played in their third-straight regional and won 43 games for the first time underĀ Mickey Deanā€™s leadership.

Next in our Year in Review series is Rose Roach, the sophomore infielder who saw more production this season. Used primarily as a platoon second baseman, Roach saw an increase in games played, at-bats, and fielding opportunites.

YEAR IN REVIEW:Ā 

Here is a look back at Rose Roachā€™s sophomore season:

Auburn Softball Year in Review: Denver Bryant

Bryant took on a new role for the Tigers in 2023, and played the part well.

Auburn’s season came to an end at the hands of the Clemson Tigers in the final game of the Clemson Regional last week.

The Tigers played in their third-straight regional and won 43 games for the first time under [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag]’s leadership.

Up next in our Year in ReviewĀ series is junior third baseman [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag]. Bryant had a bigger role for the Tigers this season and had a solid junior campaign at the plate.

YEAR IN REVIEW:Ā 

Here is a look back at Denver Bryant’s junior season:

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. Iā€™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.

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 Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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