Tag: Maia Engelkes

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.

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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__

Year in review: Maia Engelkes

Engelkes ended her senior season by recording a career-high in batting average and slugging percentage.

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 Mickey Dean era and finished third in the SEC.

The final senior to highlight in our Year in Review series is [autotag]Maia Engelkes[/autotag].

Over the last four seasons, Engelkes has appeared in 55 games, with eight starts. She has also built a resume that includes a career average of .159 with 10 hits, two home runs, and 14 RBI.

YEAR IN REVIEW: Aspyn Godwin | Carlee McCondichie | Lindsey Garcia

Here’s a look back at the season that was for Maia Engelkes.