CONTRIBUTED BY
AUBURN ATHLETICS

AUBURN –– Head coach Mickey Dean gained a key addition to the Auburn softball roster with former Michigan standout Annabelle Widra, a utility athlete and right-handed pitcher, who will join the program for the 2023 season.

“Annabelle is versatile, athletic and fast,” said Dean. “She ran track in high school, so she has great speed. She is a proven impact player. She is going to be a great addition to our pitching staff along with her ability to be a threat at the plate. We’re excited to have her join our program.”

During her freshman season with the Wolverines, Widra appeared in 48 games, seeing time at second and third base and as a designated player. Widra posted six multi-hit and two multi-RBI games for Michigan. Of her 27 hits, Widra slugged three doubles, one triple and a home run for 11 RBI and 18 runs scored.

The right-hander made 17 appearances in the circle with one start, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.73 ERA and 116 strikeouts through 32.1 innings of work.

She was named to the 2022 Big Ten All-Tournament Team after tossing five scoreless, hitless relief innings against Maryland and No. 10 Northwestern, earning the win over the Wildcats.

A Hoover, Alabama, native, Widra is a graduate of Spain Park High School, where she earned multiple High School All-American honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Extra Inning Softball and MaxPreps during her decorated career.

Widra was the 2021 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year and Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2021 Ms. Softball. She was tabbed to the ASWA All-State Team on four occasions and won the organization’s Pitcher of the Year (2018, 2021) and Player of the Year (2021) honors during her career.

She closed her decorated high school career with a .476 career batting average with 220 runs scored, 165 RBI, 41 doubles, 15 triples, 31 home runs and 132 stolen bases. Widra also posted a 120-24 career pitching record with a 1.39 ERA and 1211 strikeouts, 60 shutouts and eight perfect games