Auburn Softball Blanked By Stanford In California

Auburn Softball Blanked By Stanford In California

Box Score

February 26, 2005

STANFORD, Calif. -- Auburn couldn't overcome a potent Stanford offense Saturday, dropping its second game of the day at the Stanford Invitational, 9-0, at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium.

The Cardinal scored three in the second, five in the fourth and one more in the fifth for the five-inning victory. It marked the first time Auburn has lost on an eight-run shortened game since LSU defeated the Tigers, 11-0, last season. The loss also snaps Auburn's seven-game win streak.

The loss came on the heels of an Auburn (17-5) shutout in the team's first game of the day. The Tigers defeated UC Davis, 3-0, for their third victory of the Invitational. After two days in California, the Tigers are 3-1.

Stanford (14-1) jumped on the board early, taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Catalina Morris hit her fifth home run off the season, sending a two-run shot over the right center field fence off Auburn starter Holly Currie. The Cardinal added a third run in the frame on an Auburn error.

Stanford's fourth proved to be a big inning for the Cardinal as it put five more runs on the board. The third batter of the inning, Jackie Rinehart, flew out to right, driving in the club's fourth run of the game. After a run-scoring double by Lauren Lappin, Leah Nelson hit her fourth round-tripper of the season, a three-run home run over the right field fence that put Stanford up by eight.

The Tigers threatened in the third inning, loading the bases with two outs off Stanford starter Laura Severson. However, the junior worked her way out the jam with a ground out to short, stifling the Auburn attack.

Currie fell to 7-4 on the season after allowing eight runs and seven hits over 3 1/3. She struck out two but walked five. Beth DiPietro relieved Currie and threw 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run and two hits. She struck out two.

Sara Ghezzi doubled in the fourth inning to lead Auburn's offensive attack, which posted a season-low three hits off Severson and reliever Lauren Nydam. Severson threw four innings, allowing three hits. She improved to 7-1 on the season.

Auburn concludes play at the Stanford Invitational Sunday by taking on UAB at 11 a.m. CT., at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium. The Tigers defeated UAB, 14-0, on Feb. 16 at Jane B. Moore Field.

TIGER NOTES: Three of Auburn's first four outs defensively were assisted by Holly Currie ... The pitcher made two assists on plays at the plate and a third at first ... She also struck out a batter in the first ... Catalina Morris' second inning home run marked just the sixth this season against a Tiger hurler and first since Auburn's 4-2 loss to Boston College on Feb. 19 ... The multiple home runs hit by Stanford against Auburn marked the first time this season an opponent hit two home runs against the Tigers this season.