RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
In January of this year, Extra Inning Softball did a Big Ten Conference Preview and infielder Avrey Steiner was listed as No. 15 in the Big Ten Player Rankings.
But we’ve been following her much longer than that… try going back to May of 2018 when the new college coach was a senior in high school and made the 2018 Extra Elite 100!
That’s right, Avrey was recognized back then for her skills in the infield; here’s what we wrote on her six years ago prior to her playing at the Univ. of Illinois:
100—Avrey Steiner, 2B/OF, Ohio Outlaws (Illinois)
Avrey has long been regarded as a leader on the field and a dangerous triple-threat slapper at the plate. She heads to the University of Illinois with a .696 batting average in her senior year at Lakeview High in Courtland, Ohio. She’s also a standout in the classroom, set to graduate with a perfect GPA as a valedictorian candidate. In club play for the Beverly Bandits team, she’s been strong at PGF, helping her team to a Top 10, 3rd place and National Championship finish. The Buckeye State native is a lock-down second baseman who has a solid glove. Avrey is a three-time All-Ohio honoree in softball and she’s also a two-time District Player on her volleyball team. Known as a smart, aggressive player who has excellent baser running skills, one coach said of her: “I have never seen someone play second base better at this level.”
On Friday, the talented player stepped into a new role as she’ll be an assistant coach at Ball State.
She told Extra Inning Softball earlier today how she found out that she’d be stepping into the coaching ranks.
“(Head) Coach (Helen) Pena had called me about 24 hours after our initial conversation and offered me the job,” Coach Avrey beings. “I felt an extreme amount of gratitude toward her for trusting me to enter into her program.”
What helped the recent Illinois grad get the job? Being a two-time NFCA All-Region selection didn’t hurt.
” The keys to this position, in my opinion, were having a strong playing experience that speaks for itself,” she said. “I also feel that being a player who has always had a strong sense of softball IQ helped as well.”
.@avrey_steiner is an Illini for life 🧡💙#Illini | #HTTO pic.twitter.com/My1JfJyAif
— Illinois Softball (@IlliniSB) May 30, 2023
It was an accomplished career for sure and we asked Avrey what moment has stood out strongest in her mind.
“In my playing career, a moment I look back on fondly is lacing my cleats up for the first time as a freshman. I knew that it was the start of an experience I will look back on and cherish forever.”
And what does she remember about being in the 2018 Extra Elite 100?
“I remember in 2018 when I was nominated for the Top 100 players in my class,” she responds. “I was very honored back then and still am now. I think it adds fuel to players for the future to keep developing throughout their playing careers!”
Taking this exciting new step in her career has to be exciting so we asked what will be the celebration now that the news is out. Let’s just say she’s not focusing on a party with balloons, streamers and cake.
No, the new coach has more long-term things in mind.
“I will be celebrating this new journey by giving every bit of knowledge and energy I have to my current players and using that to pursue championships and long lasting relationships!”
— Brentt Eads/Extra Inning Softball
*****
Ball State issued a release announcing today Avrey’s hire—here’s the text of that statement:
Softball Welcomes Assistant Coach Avrey Steiner
September 15, 2023
MUNCIE, Ind. – – A proven winner on the field will be joining the Ball State softball coaching staff as two-time NFCA All-Region honoree Avrey Steiner has been named an assistant coach for the Cardinals, according to head coach Helen Peña.
A five-year starter (2019-23) and four-year team captain (2020-23) at Illinois, Steiner joins the Ball State staff after a highly decorated playing career for former Cardinals head coach Tyra Perry (2014-15).
“I am thrilled to have Coach Avrey on staff after her incredible playing career at the University of Illinois, where she was one of the top offensive threats in the Big Ten and a key defensive player for the Illini,” Peña said. “Our players will benefit immensely from her experience as a high-level collegiate athlete who knows what it takes to be successful on the field and in the classroom.”
In her five seasons in Champaign, Stenier helped guide the Illini to a 131-105 (.555) record and NCAA Regional appearances in 2019 and 2022. She made 222 career starts while playing in 229 of a possible 236 games. A .333 career batter, Steiner led Illinois in batting average in three of her five seasons, including the 10th-best single-season average in program history at .391 in 2022.
“I am very humbled and excited to join the Ball State Softball Family,” Steiner said. “I am so grateful to Coach Peña for this opportunity, and I look forward to helping this program grow alongside her leadership.”
Steiner earned All-Big Ten First Team honors for her 2022 campaign, in which she also led the league and ranked 12th nationally with 77 hits. As a junior in 2021, Steiner was named All-Big Ten Second Team after producing a .329 average and ranking 10th in the league with 51 hits.
“Avrey’s mind for the game, along with her elite preparedness and determination, rivals coaches twice her age,” Peña added. “I’m thankful she’s beginning her coaching journey as a Cardinal, and I’m looking forward to seeing her thrive in this position!”
Steiner finished her playing career with 231 hits, the fifth most in program history, including 24 doubles and three triples. She drove in 45 career RBI while scoring 118 career runs. She also collected 37 career walks and was hit by a pitch three times for a .370 career on base percentage.
On the base paths, she collected 33 career stolen bases. She was just as solid in the field, boasting a .965 fielding percentage, with 375 assists and 344 assists as a mainstay at second base.
In addition to her playing career, Steiner was an assistant coach for the Thunder Elite Premier 16U from 2020-23. In addition to assisting in player development and recruiting, she was the lead infield coach and worked with slappers. She also served as the third base coach.
Steiner, who has over six years of experience as a softball skills instructor and a camp clinician, earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting (2022) and master’s degree in business management (2023) from Illinois.