Jan. 28, 2017 By Gillian Chant
AUBURN, Ala. - After a trip to the Women's College World Series Championship Series, expect the Auburn Tigers softball team to enter the 2017 season with confidence. This year's team will remain strong at the catcher position, with two returning upperclassmen and one freshman behind the plate.
The position for the Tigers will feature junior Carlee Wallace, who earned SEC All-Tournament honors in the 2016 season and posted 167 putouts in 63 games played last season.
Wallace has been a clutch competitor for Auburn in championship atmospheres, contributing solid performances in the SEC Tournament, NCAA Super Regionals, and the Women's College World Series.
In the Women's College World Series, Wallace helped elevate the Tigers to an extra-innings victory over Florida State with a home run and three RBI. She drew two walks in the WCWS Championship Series versus Oklahoma, along with scoring once and contributing a single over the three-game series.
Wallace posted a .436 on-base percentage while earning a .287 batting clip and collecting 42 RBI. She slugged .471 and earned five homers on the season, with two of those coming in championship games.
The junior catcher's awards for last season include NFCA All-Region Second Team and Academic All-SEC to accompany her SEC All-Tournament nod.
Entering her junior season, Courtney Shea looks to build on her performance from 2016 after posting a .495 slugging clip and racking up 98 putouts in 52 games.
Shea batted .225 and homered eight times on the season, with three of her home runs coming in back-to-back games. In total, she collected 29 RBI during her sophomore season.
During the Women's College World Series Championship Series, Shea drew three pinch-hit opportunities. She had two hits and two scores in the NCAA Super Regional in wins against USC Upstate and Jacksonville State.
In addition to her on-field performance, Shea was named Academic All-SEC for 2016.
Joining Wallace and Shea behind home plate this season is freshman Breanna Gutierrez. The Buford, Ga. native played at Buford High School where she won four state championships. She also brings high school and travel ball experience, as she played for the Georgia Elite team behind the plate.
The Tigers begin the 2017 season in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as they face Oklahoma, Washington, Nebraska and BYU in the Triple Crown Tournament, Feb. 9-11.
Gillian Chant is a student assistant with Auburn athletics communications
