CLEARWATER, Fla. – With early run support at the plate, No. 21 Auburn softball's pitching staff powered the Tigers to a pair of shut out victories over St. John's and Fordham at the Eddie C. Moore Complex to open the 2023 season.
First-inning scoring in both contests took pressure off the staff as the Tigers knocked off the Red Storm 6-0 before walking off a 9-0 victory against Fordham with help of a grand slam from fifth-year veteran Aspyn Godwin in the sixth inning. Auburn has now shut out St. John's in all four meetings in the series history, outscoring Red Storm 38-0.
"I was very pleased to see our offense jump out to early scoring," said head coach Mickey Dean. "We had the opportunity to get several players out on the field. Our pitching staff was aggressive and worked ahead in counts. The strikeout numbers show how good that group can be when they get ahead of batters."
The Tiger pitching staff scattered five hits over Friday's doubleheader slate while fanning a total of 24 batters with help of double-digit strikeout performances from both junior Maddie Penta and sophomore Annabelle Widra. The pitching effort marks the first time since 2018 that Auburn has opened a season with a pair of shutouts.
Widra went the distance against the Red Storm, fanning 10 batters in her Auburn debut while giving up just a pair of hits. Widra allowed a single in the second inning before retiring nine consecutive batters. St. John's did not see another base runner against until the fifth inning.
"Honestly, I didn't have any expectations," Widra said. "I was just really excited to start the new year with this team. I know what we are capable of. It was just a fun day."
Sophomore Nelia Peralta brought the fireworks early as she homered in her first at bat of the season to lead off Saturday's contest. Veterans Lindsey Garcia and Godwin spark a two-out rally late in the first inning as Garcia cleared the bases with a two-run single to left before scoring on a double to right center from Godwin.
St. John's would keep the Tigers quite at the plate until the fifth inning as Auburn loaded the bases with one out but couldn't find the big hit. A one-out walk to Sydney Cox sparked Auburn's offense in the sixth inning as the Tigers took advantage of the free pass bringing the run home off a double from freshman Millie Roberts.
Swinging a hot bat throughout Friday's doubleheader, Carlee McCondichie extended Auburn's game one lead to 6-0 with an RBI single through the right side. McCondichie closed opening day with a .833 average after going 5-for-6 with a triple and a pair of RBI over Auburn's doubleheader.
Fordham got out to a quick start with a pair of singles, but Penta was unphased and looked in midseason form as the next nine defensive outs all came via strikeouts. The preseason All-Southeastern Conference star closed the evening with 11 strikeouts through five innings while issuing a lone walk.
Fordham would find one more single off Penta in the fifth inning, but we unable to catch up to Penta's speed to manufacture offense.
Returning from offseason surgery, Shelby Lowe had an emotional appearance in the circle in the top of the sixth inning. The left-hander looked like her former self, striking out the side with ease.
Once again, the Tigers took advantage of early offense as Peralta led off the game with a walk before scoring on McCondichie's triple to right center. A wild pitch brought McCondichie home, giving Auburn a 2-0 lead.
With Garcia and sophomore Rose Roach on both via walks in the second inning, aggressive base running created a run for the Tigers. Roach forced a throw to second on a steal attempt, allowing Garcia to streak home.
A walk and Fordham error moved two runners in scoring potions with one out. Roberts brought in run with sacrifice fly to left field to push the score to 4-0. Garcia then used her speed to create chaos yet again, swiping third base. Fordham's throw to the bag sailed to the outfield, bringing Garcia home.
Auburn's bats went quiet in the fourth and fifth innings, but a pair of walks and hit by pitch loaded the bases for Godwin. The fifth-year star did not miss her pitch as her first career grand slam ended the game in run-rule fashion after six innings.
"I went up there with confidence," Godwin said. "Coach Dean told me to stay in my legs, and I just hit it really far. Coach (Eugene) Lenti told me to say that he called it."
The Tigers return to the diamond on Saturday to face a doubleheader slate against a pair of Power Five opponents. Auburn opens the morning against Pitt at 10 a.m. CT. The Tigers will round out Saturday's action against Illinois at 12:30 p.m. CT. Both games will be streamed on the GameChanger app.