OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second consecutive season, Auburn ace Maddie Penta starts the season as one of 50 student-athletes selected to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List.
The reigning Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year and All-American was one of 21 SEC athletes to earn a spot of the initial watch list. Penta was a top 25 finalist for the award a season ago.
A right-handed pitcher from Chesapeake City, Maryland, Penta led the SEC and ranked 15th nationally with 27 wins, a mark that tied the program's single-season record. Penta was just the fifth player in school history to win at least 10 games in conference play, closing her junior campaign with 12.
Penta ranked second nationally with 303 strikeouts to her credit, which shattered Auburn's junior strikeout record. She was just the second pitcher in program history to record 300 strikeouts in a season. Penta is also the first pitcher since Anna Thompson (2009, 2010) to record at least 250 strikeouts in back-to-back seasons.
Among her staggering numbers, she also ranked second in the league in earned run average (1.33), innings pitched (220.2), shutouts (8) and hits allowed per seven innings (3.93).
She closed her junior season ranked in the top 10 in 11 Auburn single-season pitching categories, which included finishing first or tied for first in wins, games started and combined shutouts in a season. She also sits in the top 10 in 20 Auburn career pitching categories, including wins, strikeouts, earned run average, innings pitched and shutouts.
The top 25 finalists for the 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced on May 1. While an athlete does not have to be on the watch list to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the top 25 finalists. The top 10 finalists will be revealed May 15 with the top three being released May 20. The 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be announced prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series (WCWS).
Opening Day on The Plains is set for Friday, Feb. 9 versus Virginia Tech at 1 p.m. CT at Jane B. Moore Field. As part of the Tiger Invite, Auburn also faces Belmont later that afternoon at 4 p.m. CT. Single game, Pick 6 and flex plan ticket options are available to purchase by CLICKING HERE.