AUBURN, Ala. – Coming off a career season in which she led the Terrapins in five statistical categories, Maryland transfer and catcher/utility athlete Amelia Lech joins Auburn softball for the 2024 season, head coach Mickey Dean announced on Wednesday.
"Amelia helps to fill out and strengthen our lineup," Dean said of Lech's signing. "She's played multiple positions including first base, outfield, catcher and as a designated player. That versatility is an advantage to keep our student-athletes and at their peak."
The Thousand Oaks, California, native spent the last two seasons at Maryland. After primarily seeing action off the bench during her freshman campaign, Lech was a key member of the Terrapin lineup during the 2023 season with 53 starts and 57 total appearances.
Posting a .285 batting average, Lech led Maryland in home runs (16), RBI (47), total bases (100), walks (32) and slugging percentage (.694). Lech finished third on the team with 28 runs scored. Adding 11 doubles, over 60 percent of Lech's 41 hits went for extra bases. Her efforts were honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association with All-Midwest Region Third Team honors.
Lech turned out a break-out performance against No. 3 Oklahoma State, slugging the first of her 16 home runs with a grand slam that would give Maryland a 6-2 lead in its upset win. Her sophomore season also saw Lech set career highs in RBI (5), runs scored (3) and hits (3) in single-game performances.
Prepping at Newbury Park High School, Lech won several accolades during her high school career. In 2018, she became a CIF Southern Section Division 2 champion and was voted to the Marmonte League Second Team. In 2019, Lech was selected the Marmonte League Offensive Player of the Year and earned L.A. Daily News First Team and Venture County All-Second Team honors.