Six-Run Fifth Propels AU Softball To Tiger Invitational Title
Audio l Box Score
February 13, 2005
Lauren Walton |
Auburn -- Paige Jones and Amy Shaw both went 2-for-2 as the Auburn softball team captured the Tiger Invitational title with an 8-0 victory over Marshall Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field.
The Tigers (8-3) scored six runs in the fifth inning, halting the game due to the eight-run rule. Shaw, who had four runs batted in against the Thundering Herd (6-4), including two in the six-run fifth, paced Auburn offensively. Jones also had an RBI in the victory, and she earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player honors after going 8-for-13 with one home run and four RBI in five games.
"That was a perfect end to the tournament," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "Our offense clicked against Marshall and our defense kept them off the board. We had great performances all weekend and that was topped off with the Tiger Invitational title today."
Holly Currie, who earned the tournament's Most Valuable Pitcher honor, went five innings in the win, improving her record to 4-2 this season. Currie, who threw a perfect game against the College of Charleston Friday, struck out nine while allowing just two hits and one walk Sunday. She was 2-1 with a 0.70 ERA, 31 strikeouts, one save and just seven hits allowed in the tournament.
Marshall starter Randi Nielson picked up the loss after allowing four hits and five runs in four innings. She fell to 2-3.
Auburn scored two in the second to start off the game's scoring. Shaw doubled to left field off Nielson, scoring Jones and Starr Dorsey, who was pinch running for Currie.
Sara Ghezzi started off the scoring in the fifth, driving in Shaw with a single to center. Currie then walked, forcing in Lolani Alvarez, and, a batter later, Jones singled to center, scoring Ashley Griffin.
Sara Dean then singled to left, driving in Ghezzi. After Nicole Russo reached on a fielder's choice and Currie was thrown out at home, Shaw singled to center, driving in Dean and Jones and ending the game.
"Amy had a great offensive day," Deese said. "She hit the ball cleanly and did what she needed to do in each at bat."
Ghezzi, Griffin and Beth DiPietro all earned All-Tournament honors.
Ghezzi went 4-for-13 with two doubles in five games, while Griffin batted .454 with two doubles and three RBI in the three-day tournament.
DiPietro, who did not see action Sunday, was 2-0 with no ERA and 11 strikeouts in 10 innings of work.
The Tigers next play UAB Wednesday at Jane B. Moore Field. The game, which starts at 6 p.m. CT, can be heard live on the Internet at www.auburntigers.com or by tuning into WANI-AM (1400) in the Auburn area.
TIGER NOTES: In other Sunday action, Northwestern State defeated the College of Charleston, 5-4, in the consolation game ... Charleston's Leshe Russell and Berni Martinez were named to the All-Tournament Team ... Loni Raspberry and Margaret Patterson were honored from Northwestern State ... Marshall players named to the All-Tournament team included Amanda Williams, Jessica Williams and Rachel Folden ... Auburn has a busy week ahead ... After the Tigers take on UAB Wednesday at 6 p.m., they host the War Eagle Classic on Feb. 18-20 ... Teams participating in the Classic include Austin Peay, Birmingham-Southern, Boston College and Gardner-Webb.