Senior pitcher Courtney Auger has stepped up to lead the Miners this season. (Image: Brian Kanof).

After spending last year in Stacie Townsend’s shadow, pitcher Courtney Auger has found herself leading the Miners softball team through a rough season.

Auger, who transferred in from Seward County Community College, only made 20 appearances in the circle last season. Although she did record 55 strikeouts in only 59 innings pitched, Auger took on a lot this year.

Prior to joining the Miners, Auger had a successful career at the junior college level. She was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) first team All-American and was selected for the third team All-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association. These accomplishments, along with her ability to lead, where what caught Coach Kathleen Rodriguez’s attention.

“She was a junior college All-American so we knew what her capabilities were; we knew what she was able to do.” Rodriguez said. “We saw her at the national tournament, and she was phenomenal. There are not a lot of people who can say they were an All-American and she can.”

Being a junior college transfer is never an easy transition. Auger had only two years with the Miners; that is two years to adjust to Division I softball, two years to adapt to the coaches’ style, two years to bond with the team.

“It always seems like four years go by really, really quick, but to have a junior college transfer and how quick they come in and come out, it’s tough,” said Rodriguez. “And you feel a little bit cheated cause you want them longer.”

Auger has always performed well, even under immense pressure. While in junior college, she captured the records for wins (46), strikeouts (558) and ERA (1.51) at Seward County CC, proving what an asset Auger can be to a team. And though last season she was not the lead pitcher, Auger did go 2-2 on the season with two combined shutouts and recorded a career high 11 K’s against Northern Colorado.

Auger’s skills have come in handy this year. With so many injuries this season, every player on the team has had to step up and give their all in every game and practice.

“Watching what she does and how she does it, it isn’t a surprised. What she has and what she is capable of doing, it has been there,” Rodriguez said. “She has a zone about her when she is out there. She wants to win, and she wants to win in the worst way. That’s not something you can teach a ball player; it has to be in them.”

Despite working so hard, Auger has had a rough time in the circle this year. Going into the last series of the year, the Miners currently sit in last place in the conference rankings.

“Their [the senior’s] desire to win is completely evident,” Rodriguez said. “They [the seniors] work their tails off every day. They deserve more. They worked for more.”

In spite of giving her all on the mound, Auger was unable to lead the Miners to the conference tournament this season, but that is not to say she has not done what the coaches expected of her.

“She is confident now verses when she came in. She is stronger,” said Rodriguez. “She had a hard time expressing herself, and she struggled a bit in junior college, and now she knows. She gained a really, really strong confidence in who she is.”

This confidence that Auger exhibits is evident on and off the field; it is what has made her a leader this season. In spite of not having the season all senior’s dream of, Auger can leave UTEP knowing she has been an integral part of the team and will be missed next year.

Rebecca Frazier can be reached at show@minerillustrated.com.