6/14/2017 other sports Edit

Wallace planning to leave Auburn

Catcher Carlee Wallace has been granted a release from Auburn and will not play for the Tigers in 2018. (Jay G. Tate/AuburnSports.com)

Jay G. Tate • AuburnSports

Publisher

Living the dream in Montgomery, Ala.

AUBURN | Catcher Carlee Wallace has requested and been granted a release from her scholarship at Auburn.

The rising senior has been among the team's most valuable hitters during each of the past three seasons. She was just one of four seniors expected to play in 2018.

Wallace, a native of Alpine, Calif., hit .333 last season and led the team in RBIs, extra-base hits and total bases. She started each of the Tigers' 61 games last season.

Wallace's departure could create a serious staffing issue for coach Clint Myers, who returns part-timer Courtney Shea and redshirt freshman Breanna Gutierrez at catcher next season. Wallace also worked well with ace pitcher Kaylee Carlson, who was named an All-American in 2017 after going 27-5.

Kendall Veach has played catcher and some observers judged her to be the team's second-best catcher behind Wallace this past season. Still, Veach is considered the heir apparent to Kasey Cooper at third base and may be more valuable there.