AUBURN, Ala. – Softball America continued its national class rankings leading into the 2021 season, and junior right-hander Samantha Yarbrough earned a spot on the publication's Top 25 College Juniors list.
Yarbrough was ranked No. 21 overall by Softball America. Earlier this month, she was named No. 68 in Softball America's 2021 Preseason Top 100.
She is the second Tiger to be ranked in the class breakdowns. Freshman Maddie Penta was also tabbed the No. 9 college freshman this month.
Yarbrough appeared in 13 contests, primarily as a relief pitcher, in her debut season. The right-hander earned a starting role over the final two weeks of the shortened 2020 season. Two of her three starts were complete-game efforts.
She went 6-0 in the circle with a save, allowing just eight runs over 48.2 innings. Dishing out over 16 consecutive innings of scoreless softball, Yarbrough recorded a 1.15 ERA to rank sixth among SEC pitchers. The Fairhope, Ala., native allowed just 24 hits and held opponents to a .147 average at the plate.
Auburn returns to the diamond on Friday, Feb. 12 against Southeast Missouri State in the Tigers' opening game of the Plainsman Invitational. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
