Tag: Mickey Dean

Auburn softball adds transfer pitcher Haley Rainey

Rainey owns a career 2.29 ERA and 43-23 record over three collegiate seasons in the Big West

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and the Auburn football coaching staff haven’t been the only contingent of Tigers coaches making moves this summer.

Auburn softball added a major piece to the pitching rotation on Thursday, as former Cal State Fullerton pitcher [autotag]Haley Rainey[/autotag] announced via Instagram that she will be taking her talents and Big West-leading 1.68 ERA to the Plains next season.

Rainey, who has one year of eligibility remaining, was fantastic in her junior season with the Titans. The right-handed ace racked up 159 strikeouts over 178.2 innings in the Big West. Most impressively, Rainey only allowed 30 extra-base hits throughout the season. Just 2 of those 30 extra-base knocks left the yard.

With star pitcher [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] now graduated and set to begin her professional career, Rainey might have just become head coach [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag]’s best option to take over as the Tigers’ No. 1 starting pitcher. The 2024 Big West Pitcher of the Year, Rainey has thrown 440.2 career collegiate innings between Cal State Fullerton and Idaho State. The Adna, Wash. native owns a career 2.29 ERA and a 43-23 record over those three seasons.

While she’ll have to prove she can replicate that dominance in the powerhouse conference that is the SEC, Rainey surely has the tools to be successful on the Plains next season. We’ll see what kind of role she plays for the Tigers as the spring approaches.

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Auburn softball adds pitching coach Ryker Chason to new staff

The former Ole Miss and LSU assistant is the first hire under Chris and Kate Malvaux’s leadership.

The Auburn softball staff is under reconstruction following [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag]’s retirement at the end of the 2024 season. Following the newest hire of co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux, the Tigers have hired a new coach for the bullpen to assist the pitching staff.

[autotag]Ryker Chason[/autotag] will join the coaching staff in 2025 after being one of the nation’s top coaching free agent moves of the young off-season. Chason makes his way over to Auburn after spending three seasons with Ole Miss, where he coached under Jamie Trachsel.

The Rebel pitching staff combined for a 2.91 earned run average in 2023, which marked the second-lowest ERA under Chason’s direction. His pitchers combined for nine shutouts that season, as well.

Prior to coaching at Ole Miss, Chason assisted Beth Torina at LSU for four seasons as student coach. In that time, he helped coach four NFCA All-Americans that were pitchers, including Carley Hoover and Allie Walljasper.

He has most recently spent the last 10 months as the Director of Pitching Growth for OGX Softball.

Now, he looks to make his mark on the Plains with a pitching staff that needs expanding for next year.

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Auburn hires former Tennessee assistants to lead softball program

Chris and Kate Malveaux take over for Mickey Dean, who announced his retirement in March.

After a long coaching search, Auburn has found its next leader(s).

Auburn athletics director [autotag]John Cohen[/autotag] announced Wednesday that former Tennessee assistants [autotag]Chris Malveaux[/autotag] and [autotag]Kate Malveaux[/autotag] are making a move to Auburn to serve as assistant head coaches, taking over for the outgoing [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag], who announced his retirement in March.

“Chris and I are both honored and humbled to lead this new era of Auburn Softball. Thank you to John Cohen and all of Auburn Athletics for their faith in us to take on this role and support the program in such an impactful way,” Kate Malveaux said in a press release. “Also, thank you to Karen Weekly, the Lady Vol Softball staff, and student-athletes for the opportunity and support of not only us, but also our family. Auburn has proved that it can compete on the national stage, and we are excited to build, develop, and grow this program into a national powerhouse.”

Chris Malveaux served as the Lady Vols’ hitting coach for three seasons. Since 2022, Tennessee’s production at the plate has increased from a .280 team average in 2022 to a .317 team average in 2024. In 2023, Tennessee led the SEC in on-base percentage (.419), runs scored (419), RBI (377), and doubles (84). The top player under Malveaux’s leadership, Kiki Milloy, set a school record with 25 home runs in 2023, which led to All-America honors from the NFCA.

Tennessee finished top-five in eight hitting categories this season, including home runs. The Lady Vols collectively hit 37 home runs this season, which trailed only Georgia (44) for the SEC lead. Tennessee batters were also patient at the plate by forcing 87 walks and striking out just 81 times.

Kate Malveaux worked with base runners during her four seasons in Knoxville, where speed on the basepaths was a strong emphasis. They swiped 38 bases in 2024, third-highest among SEC programs. Tennessee finished top-four in stolen bases since 2021, including an SEC-high 95 stolen bases in 2021.

Together, Tennessee has won two-straight SEC championships.

A spouse duo serving as head coaches in SEC softball is nothing new. Tennessee was led by Ralph and Karen Weekly for 20 years before Ralph’s retirement in 2021. Neither of the Malveaux’s coached at Tennessee under Ralph’s leadership, but his wife Karen remains the Lady Vols’ head coach and has shared her experience of the situation.

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Auburn utility star Annabelle Widra has entered the transfer portal

Auburn softball’s most versatile player has entered the transfer portal after spending two seasons on the Plains.

Auburn softball’s most versatile player from the 2024 roster has entered the transfer portal.

[autotag]Annabelle Widra[/autotag], who pitched and played infield for the Tigers over the last two seasons, has become the first notable post-[autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] era departure as she plans to enter the transfer portal according to Softball America and D1Softball.

Widra joined Auburn’s roster ahead of the 2023 season after spending her freshman season at Michigan. The Hoover native played all over the infield during her two seasons on the Plains. She earned 36 starts at third base, eight starts at second base, one start at shortstop, and two starts as the designated player. In addition to her work in the field, she made 48 appearances in the circle with 16 starts.

Widra developed a strong bond with outgoing head coach Mickey Dean. Near the end of the season, Widra shared her feelings towards her head coach on X (formerly Twitter).

Many people don’t know what it’s like on the inside, but what you need to know is this man changed my life,” Widra said of Dean. “There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am for him! Coach Dean will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is because of him I love softball again.”

Widra’s Auburn career ends as a .256 hitter with five home runs and 11 RBI with five stolen bases. As a pitcher, Widra boasted a 14-8 record with 113 strikeouts to 20 walks with a 2.77 ERA. Widra joins [autotag]Riley McNemar[/autotag] as players from 2024’s roster who have entered the transfer portal.

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Examining Softball America’s top potential candidates for Auburn softball’s head coach vacancy

Several interesting names are included in Softball America’s hot board.

While most of the college softball world is focused on the upcoming Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Auburn softball fans are ready for athletics director [autotag]John Cohen[/autotag] to announce the program’s next head coach.

[autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag], the third head softball coach in Auburn history, announced during the season that he is retiring following an impressive 713-win, 18-year career with stops at Radford, James Madison, and Auburn. As Oklahoma and Texas prepare to enter the SEC later this year, it is as important as ever to field a talented, well-coached team to compete in a loaded conference.

Who will Auburn turn to to lead its softball program into a new era within the SEC? Brady Vernon of Softball America has laid out several candidates to fill what he calls the “biggest opening thus far.” The list includes a mix of experienced head coaches and several assistants that are ready to take the step forward.

One notable name is [autotag]Samantha Ricketts[/autotag] of Mississippi State. Ricketts, a former player under Patty Gasso at Oklahoma, has led Mississippi State to 159 wins since 2020, moving the Bulldogs to the upper epsilon of the SEC. In 2024, Mississippi State finished third in the SEC in hitting with an overall average of .297 and finished fourth in runs scored with 314. Vernon cites Ricketts’ connection to John Cohen during his days at Mississippi State as a valid reason to support this connection, citing Cohen’s hire of Ricketts in 2020.

Several up-and-comers have been named as well including Virginia Tech’s [autotag]Pete D’Amour[/autotag] and Duke‘s [autotag]Marissa Young[/autotag]. Young has built Duke’s program from the ground up by developing the Blue Devils into a Women’s College World Series contender in seven seasons. D’Amour has led Virginia Tech to five NCAA Tournament appearances and two trips to the Super Regionals in five seasons.

The biggest name of all is Oklahoma State head coach [autotag]Kenny Gajewski[/autotag], who has won 360 games and has led the Cowgirls to three-straight Women’s College World Series appearances. Vernon labels Gajewski as the “home run hire” due to his ability to utilize the transfer portal, but the SEC’s addition of Oklahoma and Texas could alter his decision to flee Stillwater.

The Auburn opening is definitely one of the most attractive jobs out there currently, and Cohen has the ability to make the best hire. Who will it be? The race for Auburn softball’s next head coach will be a fun one to watch unfold.

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Amelia Lech returns to the Plains for another year

The slugger led the team with 12 home runs during the 2024 campaign.

With the conclusion of another season in Auburn softball, big decisions are now being made across the organization. The staff is trying to figure out who will replace [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] as the head coach, and players are trying to decide whether they should stay on the Plains or not.

For star transfer [autotag]Amelia Lech[/autotag], that decision was easy, as she announced her return to the Tigers’ organization on Monday.

A very consistent starter, Lech was the team’s leader in home runs with 12 on the season, posting six doubles to go along with it. This totaled over half of her hits as going for extra bases, being a vital source of offensive production on the team.

She posted a .239 batting average for the year with 37 RBIs, racking up 28 walks to go along with it. Her RBI count led the team during the season, while her walks were the second most.

She was also reliable in the field, posting .989 fielding percentage as a utility player.

Lech will enter second season at Auburn joined by [autotag]KK McCrary[/autotag], who also announced her return to the program recently.

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Auburn’s season, Dean era concludes with loss to Florida State in Tallahassee Regional

Auburn fell in the Tallahassee Regional final on Sunday to wrap up its 2024 campaign.

Auburn softball’s season officially ended Sunday with a loss to Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional final, 10-4. With the loss comes the end of a bittersweet era in the program.

Auburn’s loss to Florida State marked the official end to the tenure of [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag], the Tigers head coach since taking over for [autotag]Clint Myers[/autotag] in 2017. Dean built a 235-130 record with six NCAA Tournament appearances in seven seasons on the Plains and a 63-83 SEC record.

Auburn fans also watched the career of [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] conclude on Sunday. Penta is one of the most decorated athletes in Auburn history with three All-American honors, six All-SEC honors, and was the 2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year. In four seasons, Penta boasted a 76-36 record with a 1.79 ERA and 941 strikeouts in 706 innings pitched.

The Tigers end the 2024 season with a 29-21-1 record and a 9-15 mark in SEC play. Auburn ended the season by competing in a regional final for the second season in a row and will lose just three seniors from this season’s roster.

Auburn softball will begin its hunt for a new head coach this offseason and will look to find its new “ace” pitcher ahead of the 2025 season that begins next February.

Auburn softball is on the way to Tallahassee for NCAA Tournament

Auburn softball is racing into the postseason for the 19th time in school history, heading to Tallahassee to begin its run.

All around the country, the time has now come that every college softball dreams of. The conference tournaments have ended and 64 teams now compete for the ultimate crown: a national championship.

Auburn softball is part of that 64-team field, as the Tigers officially made the NCAA Softball Tournament when it was announced on Sunday.

Auburn and head coach [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] will make a trip down to the Tallahassee Regional to begin its road to Oklahoma City. The Tigers’ regional site feature’s the host team of Florida State, Chattanooga and UCF.

The girls from the Plains will take on UCF in their first game. The Knights come into the tournament with a record of 30-23 after losing to Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship.

The No. 13 seeded Seminoles are hosting after going 43-14 and finishing as runner-up in the ACC Softball Championship. Their opponents, the Chattanooga Mocs, are 42-14 on the year and champions of the SoCon.

Auburn is a part of the postseason now for the 19th time in program history. It is no stranger to the Tallahassee Regional, though. This is the fourth time that the team will be making an appearance at the site, and its first since 2021. Under Dean, it will be the third time that the Tigers’ postseason will start at Florida State.

The winner of this regional will take on the winner out of the Norman Regional, which contains Oklahoma, Oregon, Boston University and Cleveland State.

Auburn’s opening round game with UCF is set for Friday, May 17, where first pitch will be at 1 p.m. CST. It will be broadcast on ESPNU.

Auburn softball shuts out No. 17 Alabama to claim series

The Tigers gained much-needed momentum heading into the SEC Tournament by taking down rival Alabama on Saturday.

Defense and solid pitching headlined the first two games of Auburn softball’s series with No. 17 Alabama as both teams combined to score just nine runs over 18 innings.

Saturday’s deciding game three played out the same way, but like Thursday’s series opener, luck bounced the way of the Tigers. An early advantage mixed in with a stellar outing by [autotag]Annabelle Widra[/autotag] in the circle led Auburn to a 3-0 win over their rivals, claiming the series.

A pair of singles put Auburn on the board in the 2nd inning. [autotag]Anna Wohlers[/autotag] kicked off Auburn’s scoring effort with a single to score Thalia Martin while [autotag]Nelia Peralta[/autotag] singled home [autotag]Axe Milanowski[/autotag] a few at-bats later.

The decisive blow was delivered by [autotag]Amelia Lech[/autotag] in the 4th inning when she crushed her second home run of the series and her 12th home run of the season to left field to extend Auburn’s lead to 3-0, thus capping Auburn’s scoring effort.

[autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] got another solid effort from his pitchers on Saturday as Annabelle Widra struck out seven batters while allowing four hits in a complete-game showing. Getting ahead in the inning ultimately led to Widra’s strong showing.

“(Widra) did a tremendous job,” Dean said postgame. “(Emily) Carosone showed her some numbers. She got every batter in the beginning of an inning out, and she didn’t walk a single batter. Annabelle can be extremely successful when she does that.”

Auburn softball ends the regular season at 27-18-1, 9-15 in SEC play. The Tigers will now await its SEC Tournament fate. The SEC Tournament kicks off Tuesday at Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn.

Auburn softball claims game one of series with No. 17 Alabama

Auburn kicks off the final SEC series of the season with a clutch win over their rivals from Tuscaloosa.

The final regular season weekend of the 2024 softball season began Thursday, and Auburn is on its way to strongly finishing the campaign.

The Tigers fought off a furious comeback from its rivals, but ultimately held on to defeat No. 17 Alabama, 4-3, on Thursday night at Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn.

The visiting Crimson Tide scored three runs in the top of the 7th inning, two on a home run by Kali Heivilin and another on an error. The Tigers’ early 4-0 advantage provided enough cushion to grab the victory, thus claiming game one of this pivotal series.

Auburn outhit Alabama, 7-5 on the day, which is a product of the game plan that head coach [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] put in place this week.

“We did a great job with our approaches at the plate tonight,” Dean said postgame. “I think our coaches did a great job preparing our players from what they were going to see tonight. I think we were a little angry after the Ole Miss series and how that weekend went. We were really locked in, and it showed tonight.”

Auburn set the tone of the game early with a two-run home run by Amelia Lech in the 1st inning. A pair of singles over the next two innings by Rose Roach and Anna Wohlers would push Auburn to a 4-0 lead heading into the 4th inning. Wohlers led the team in hits with two while Lech held the team’s RBI lead with two.

[autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] earned her 14th win of the season on Thursday after striking out nine batters while walking three in a complete game effort. Penta allowed three runs in the final frame. However, she credits her teammates for having her back early on.

“It’s a lot easier to pitch with a lead, obviously, so that you can have an inning like (the 7th),” Penta said postgame. “That inning, things got a little tense and I didn’t hit my spots as well as I had all game. When your team has the run support for you, it makes it easier to kind of shut the door and believe that you are good.”

Auburn looks to win the series on Friday evening. Game two of the series between Auburn and Alabama begins Friday at 5 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on SEC Network.

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