Auburn’s 2023 season came to a close when the Clemson Tigers beat them 5-1 in the regional finals.
The Tigers made it to the NCAA Regionals for the third straight season and their 43 wins were the most they have managed since Mickey Dean took over and they finished third in the SEC.
Up next in our Year in Review series is sophomore shortstop Nelia Peralta. Peralta followed her freshman season that saw her hit .313 with 10 HR and 42 RBI by reaching career highs in average, starts, hits, triples, and walks drawn.
YEAR IN REVIEW:
Maia Engelkes Aspyn Godwin Carlee McCondichie Lindsey Garcia Bri Ellis Maddie Penta
Here’s a look back at Nelia Peralta’s solid sophomore campaign.
Batting average: .329
Peralta’s sophomore campaign ended with a career-high average of .329, which led the team. Peralta joined Denver Bryant, Makayla Packer, and Carlee McCondichie as Tiger batters to average over .300 at the plate.
Games played: 62
Peralta started in all 62 of Auburn’s games this season, and has only missed one start in her Auburn career. Only Peralta and Bri Ellis started in all 62 games this season for the Tigers.
Hits: 54
Another career-high that was obtained in 2023 was the amount of hits that Peralta produced. Peralta recorded nine more hits in her sophomore season for a total of 54. Out of those hits, she tallied seven doubles, two triples, and nine home runs. Her 54 hits were also the highest total on the team.
Home runs: 9
Peralta was one home run away from tying her freshman total of 10 this season. Her nine home runs were third highest in the team, behind Bri Ellis (14), and Lindsey Garcia (10).
RBI: 23
Peralta was solid in the run producing department last season, as she accounted for 23 of the Tigers’ runs over the year. She followed Ellis (47) and Garcia (43) in RBI.
Fielding percentage: .909
Peralta was great at shortstop this season by making 71 putouts, and assisting in 75 more outs while committing only eight errors. Her incredible season in the field boosted her career fielding percentage to .909.
Slugging percentage: .561
Peralta was second in slugging percentage among those who played in 75% of Auburn’s games this season, trailing just Bri Ellis for the team lead. Mixing in her .625 slugging percentage from 2022, and she is slugging .597 for her career.
Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire