Abbott Pitches Tennessee Past Auburn
Box Score l Audio
April 10, 2004
Sara Dean |
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. â€" Monica Abbott struck out 17 batters and allowed just one base runner to lead No. 12 Tennessee to a 4-0 victory over No. 23 Auburn on Saturday afternoon at Tyson Park.
The Lady Vols improved to 41-10 and 14-6 in Southeastern Conference action. The Tigers fell to 30-10 and 11-7 in the league.
The shutout was Abbott's third straight as she improved to 34-5 on the year. She struck out 30 batters, without walking one, in 14 innings and gave up just four hits on the weekend. In the process, she moved into 10th in NCAA history for single-season strikeouts with 451.
On Saturday, Abbott faced the minimum as Lolani Alvarez, who had Auburn's lone hit, was caught stealing in the third inning.
After being no-hit for three innings, Tennessee strung together four consecutive hits followed by a sacrifice fly to plate three runs in the fourth.
Kristi Durant and Lauren Mattox knocked back-to-back doubles before Amber Rhinehart and Stacey Jennings each singled. Katherine Card had the sac fly.
Kristen Keyes worked 3 1/3 innings and was charged with three runs. She gave up four hits and struck out two while walking one. The loss dropped her to 16-8 on the year and was the third time she has taken a loss in a series finale in the last four series.
A single, stolen base and two wild pitches allowed Sarah to score the fourth run for Tennessee in the fifth frame. It was the only run Holly Currie allowed as she pitched the final 1 2/3 innings. She allowed two hits and struck out two while walking one.
Auburn returns to action next Saturday when it hosts defending SEC champion Georgia in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.