AUBURN, Ala. – Another top-25 recruiting class is heading to the Plains as head softball coach Mickey Dean announced a 2023 signing class featuring nationally ranked recruits across the board on Monday.
"We have a great group coming to campus," said head coach Mickey Dean. "We're bringing some excellent talent that is going to continue to elevate our program."
Landing the No. 25 recruiting class in the country according to Extra Inning Softball, Auburn's nationally ranked class features high school All-Americans, two second-generation collegiate softball student-athletes and some of the nation's top position players. The star-studded class consists of left-handed pitcher/first baseman Chalea Clemmons, utility player Thalia Martin, infielder/outfielder Mariah Penta, infielder Kyla Stroud and right-handed pitcher Malayna Tamborra.
CHALEA CLEMMONS
Hometown: Alabaster, Alabama
High School: Thompson High School
Club: Birmingham Thunderbolts/Alabama Bolts
Position: Pitcher/First Base
Bat/Throw: Left/Left
Highlights: Ranked the No. 5 first baseman by Extra Inning Softball … transferred to Thompson High School for junior season and was named the Birmingham Region Newcomer of the Year … earned all-state and all-county honors during her debut season at Thompson … tabbed the most valuable player during the 7A State Championship game … competed in the North vs. South All Stat Game … held a .491 average with 49 RBI during her junior season … also posted a 1.22 earned run average, striking out 135 batters … competed at Cullman High School as a sophomore earning all-state and all-area honors … added first team all-American accolades … named Alpha Insurance Player of the Month during the season … set Cullman's home run record with 21 … also held a .514 batting average with 65 RBI … finished the season tied for the 6A state lead in strikeouts with 314 while holding a .295 ERA … also competes in volleyball and basketball … member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, Spanish Honor Society, SACC and First Priority.
Dean on Clemmons: "Chalea is a left-handed pitcher who also plays first and swings a powerful bat. We look forward to her versality as a pitcher and hitter."
THALIA MARTIN
Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia
High School: Brookwood
Club: Atlanta Vipers
Position: Utility
Bat/Throw: Right/Right
Highlights: Ranked the 15th overall recruit by Extra Inning Softball … ranked the fourth overall third baseman by the publication … A 7A Second Team All-State selection out of Brookwood High School … held a .453 batting average with nine home runs and 28 RBI … swiped 26 bases on 27 attempts … added 7A First Team All-Region and All-County honors … Minority Softball Prospects All-American selection … earned student-athlete of the month recognition … also was honored as a scholar-athlete recipient … competed in the GACA Junior All-State Game … awarded the Brookwood Bronco Award … last season with the Vipers, posted a .386 batting average, 103 RBI, 23 home runs with a .653 slugging percentage … received the Stephanie Phillips Award … is a four-year member of the National Honors Society.
Dean on Martin: "Thalia can play multiple positions in the infield and the outfield. She swings a consistent bat with power."
MARIAH PENTA
Hometown: Chesapeake City, Maryland
High School: Bohemia Manor High School
Club: Newton Rock
Position: Utility (Middle Infielder/Outfielder)
Bat/Throw: Right/Right
Highlights: Ranked the 15th overall recruit of the 2023 class by Extra Inning Softball … an all-county and all-conference selection at Bohemia Manor … held a .500 batting average with four home runs … earned county player of the week honors … competed with Newton Rock club organization … knocked four doubles and 10 doubles for a .500 on-base plus slugging percentage … adding a .436 batting average … helped Newton Rock finish as runner up at the 2020 Triple Crown Nationals … member of the Junior National Honors Society … a three-time honor roll member … also earned the Student-Athlete Education Award … outside of softball, competed in gymnastics, volleyball, soccer and swim … a second generation student-athlete … her mother, Susan, was a standout softball student-athlete at the University of Delaware … is the younger sister of current Auburn softball student-athlete, Maddie Penta.
Dean on Penta: "She is a very athletic player, who has the ability to play multiple positions. Mariah has shown tremendous growth in her hitting, especially in developing consistent power."
KYLA STROUD
Hometown: Covington, Georgia
High School: Newton High School
Club: Georgia Impact / Georgia Bombers
Position: Infielder (First Base/Third Base)
Bat/Throw: Right/Right
Highlights: Ranked the 12th overall recruit of the 2023 class by Extra Inning Softball … ranked the No. 3 corner infielder in the country by the publication … a three-time all-region and all-county selection at Newton High School … tabbed Newrock Slugger of the Year … earned Freshman of the Year honors her debut season … spent time with Georgia Impact and the Georgia Bombers club organizations … two-time USA All-American on the club scene … led Georgia Impact to a fourth-place finish at the 2018 PGF … member of the Beta Club and an A-B honor roll student.
Dean on Stroud: "Ever since Kyla came to her first came at Auburn, she has shown great power in her hitting. Kyla has played at a high level of ball, and we look forward to her continued growth."
MALAYNA TAMBORRA
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
High School: Mount Paran Christian School
Club: Atlanta Vipers
Position: Right-handed Pitcher
Bat/Throw: Right/Right
Highlights: Ranked the No. 10 recruit by Extra Inning Softball … earned all-county and all-region honors during her career at Mount Paran … a two-time County Player of the Year and Region Player of the Year … GADC Pitcher of the Year … GA Class 1A Private Pitcher of the Year … a three-time First Team GA Class 1A Private All-State selection … GA Area 3 Pitcher of the Year … First Team Area 3 honoree … Mount Paran Christian Softball MVP … GADC Player of the Year … 2020 GHSA Class A State Champions … 2022 GHSA Class AA State Runner-Up … GADC Senior All-State Game … also plays basketball … participates in Pee Mentor Imitative, Mu Alpha theta and BETA Club … member of the president's honor roll … mother, Stacy, began her softball career at Oklahoma before transferring and closing her career at Florida State … her father, Steve, is a strength and conditioning coach for Georgia Tech baseball and golf.
Dean on Tamborra: "Malayna is a pitcher who has pitched in many championship situations. She is also a strong hitter, who has shown power in her bat."
