Auburn Softball Wins Seventh Straight With 3-0 Victory Over UC Davis
February 26, 2005
STANFORD, Calif. -- Auburn capitalized on three UC Davis errors to score solo runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings en route to a 3-0 victory over the Aggies in the Tigers’ first game Saturday in the Stanford Invitational at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium.
The Tigers are now set to take on No. 4 Stanford at 3 p.m. CT., on Saturday in their second game of the day at the Stanford Invitational. The game will mark Auburn’s second against a ranked opponent this season. The Tigers defeated then-No. 21 South Florida, 6-4, on Feb. 4.
Sara Dean doubled to right center in the fourth against the Aggies, and scored when UC Davis outfielders could not handle the ball along the fence. Dean’s run proved to be the game-winner as Beth DiPietro threw seven scoreless innings, striking out eight while walking four. She improved to 8-1 on the season. The Riverview, Fla., native is 7-0 in her last nine appearances and has not lost since Feb. 6.
Auburn (17-4) added insurance runs in the fifth and seventh innings. Holly Currie blooped a single over the left side of the infield, driving in Kristina McCain in the fifth. Two innings later, McCain grounded out to second, scoring Ashley Griffin.
“We couldn’t get too many runs on the scoreboard, but we kept them off it, which matters the most,” Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. “We’ve been involved in close games the first three games of the tournament, and pulled through each. It has been a good learning stretch for these kids.
“Now, we’re ready for the challenge that Stanford brings us. They’re ranked fourth and we’re looking forward to getting back on the field. They’ll be a real good test and a chance to see where we are at this point of the season.”
Currie led the Tigers with three singles as Auburn posted 11 hits. Dean and Sara Ghezzi had two hits apiece in the victory, while Griffin extended her hitting streak to eight games with a single to left in the seventh.
Jessica Hancock picked up the loss for UC Davis (3-12) after going seven innings, walking one while striking out six.
The game against Stanford in Auburn’s final of Saturday play. The Tigers end the Stanford Invitational by taking on UAB at 11 a.m. CT Sunday at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium. The Tigers have already defeated the Blazers this season, 14-0, on Feb. 16 at Jane B. Moore Field.
TIGER NOTES: Auburn totaled the exact same inning run down in the first three frames against UC Davis ... The Tigers posted no runs on one hit, no UC Davis errors and one runner left on base ... Sara Dean has reached base safely in her last 11 games ... She posted a nine-game hit streak that was broken against Texas Tech Friday, but walked against the Red Raiders ... Dean’s double against the Aggies gave her 11 games to have reached base in a row ... The Tigers were not charged with an error for the second straight game ... They’ve committed only one in the first three games of the Invitational.