Auburn softball signs No. 14 class in the country

The next class of Auburn softball players officially signed with the school Wednesday.

Co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux signed six players, as the duo enters their second season on the Plains. Auburn’s class is ranked No. 14 in the country according to Softball America.

“We feel like it’s a huge step and a big piece of what’s to come in the future,” Chris Malveaux told AuburnSports.com. “Bringing some kids in that definitely are gonna raise the temperature for us in the locker room and on the field, bringing in some kids that are incredibly competitive as well as being talented. It’s gonna really drive the standard up on a day-to-day basis.”

GET TO KNOW THE AUBURN CLASS

Peyton Valentine — INF (College Station, Texas)

Auburn’s top-rated signee is Valentine, who Softball America rates as the No. 49 player in the country. Valentine brings the potential to be a shut down shortstop, while also providing stable offense at the plate.

“She’s incredibly gritty on defense,” Chris Malveaux said. “When you watch her play, it’s almost like she’s in a knife fight and she’s just trying to go after people. She plays a game incredibly hard, incredibly aggressive…And offensively, she’s gonna bring just a steady competitiveness as well.”

Cece Springfield — OF (Mableton, Ga.)

Springfield is the No. 53 overall player in the class who bats and throws from the left side. Although she pitches for her high school, Auburn envisions Springfield as a strong outfield arm who could also help out offensively.

“She’s an Auburn kid from the beginning,” Chris Malveaux said. “You look at what she does on the field, another one that plays incredibly physical…Has a little bit of speed, but her game offensively is to get there and hit the ball hard, drive the ball.”

Leah Byrd — INF/P (Kennesaw, Ga.)

The most versatile player of the group, Byrd is expected to play middle infield but could contribute in the circle. Byrd is listed as the No. 71 player in the country.

“She’s incredibly competitive,” Chris Malveaux said. “She’s one that can get in and choose some innings up in the circle as well as play incredibly athletic infield. And she’s gonna be fierce at the plate. She has a potential to hit for power, but she’s also a speed kid.”

Bella Maria — OF (Toms River, N.J.)

Rated as the No. 91 recruit in the 2026 class, Maria brings speed and aggressive defense to the table.

“Her main skill set is she can play some pretty good shut down defense in the outfield,” Chris Malveaux said. “Incredibly aggressive on defense, can cover gap to gap pretty well. Team player, always about what the team needs…She’s gonna bring a lot of athleticism to the locker room.”

Taylor Surratt — C (Monroe, N.C.)

Auburn is excited to sign Surratt. The Tigers believe Surratt to be one of, if not the best, defensive catchers in the country. She could also bring a significant presence to the plate with time.

“Works very well with pitchers and really able to kind of get every bit of the zone that she can and then stretch it possibly at times,” Chris Malveaux said. “She’s a very good communicator with pitchers and understands what they need to hear…And we feel like she also has the potential with her athleticism to increase her hitting over time. We think she could be a force in the lineup here in the next couple of years.”

Camryn Winiarski — P (Midlothian, Va.)

Auburn expects Winiarski to contribute mostly as a pitcher. She’s a ground ball pitcher who can change speeds well. However, she could pop over to play first base if needed.

“Cam is going to be our lone arm in the circle,” Chris Malveaux said. “Definitely looking to see what she brings in the circle, and feel like that she could be a force to reckon with in the years to come as well in that role.”