Tigers Battle Back, Take Series Finale From Ole Miss

Tigers Battle Back, Take Series Finale From Ole Miss

Audio l Box Score

March 20, 2005

OXFORD, Miss. -- Twenty-fifth ranked Auburn scored two runs on an Ole Miss throwing error in the sixth inning Sunday, vaulting the Tigers to a 4-3 victory over the Rebels in the rubber match of the team's three-game series at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.

Auburn loaded the bases with one out in the top half of the sixth. Sara Ghezzi proceeded to hit a grounder to Ole Miss shortstop Chloe Kloezeman, who then attempted to throw out Robin Martin at the plate. However, her throw sailed high, allowing Martin and catcher Sara Dean, who was on second at the start of the play, to come around and score.

The play pushed the Tigers to the 4-3 victory, and gave Auburn its second straight victory over Ole Miss (21-11 overall, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) and fifth SEC win in six tries this season.

Beth DiPietro picked up the victory after coming on in relief of starter Holly Currie. DiPietro worked 2 1/3 innings, striking out four DiPietro is now 14-3 this season.

Ole Miss reliever Mary Jane Callahan, who shut out the Tigers (29-7, 5-1) in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday, picked up the loss despite allowing no earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. One of the runs allowed on the two-run error in Auburn's half of the sixth was charged to starter Tara Willitt. But the second was given to Callahan, giving her the loss and dropping her record to 9-5 on the season.

"We battled and that's what matters the most," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "We didn't hit the ball great, but sometimes other things can happen to get you that win. That's what happened today."

Ashley Griffin parked an offering from Willitt over the right center field fence in the top of the third, pulling Auburn out of a 1-1 deadlock. The blast was Griffin's fifth of the season and the second of the year given up by Willitt.

Both teams started off with solo runs in the first inning. Auburn's came on a sacrifice fly by Dean, which scored Griffin. Ole Miss evened the score in the bottom half of the inning with a run-scoring single by catcher DeDe Justice.

Ole Miss took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a two-run home run by Callahan, her second of the season.

Currie started the game for the Tigers, but did not figure in the decision. She worked 4 2/3 innings, striking out seven while walking two and allowing four hits.

Griffin led the Tigers with a 3-for-4 effort, singling twice in addition to her third inning home run.

Auburn now has a quick turnaround before heading into a three-game series with rival Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Tigers and ninth-ranked Crimson Tide face off in a doubleheader Tuesday, the first game starting at 5 p.m. CT. The teams conclude the three-game series Wednesday with the first pitch slated for 4 p.m.

Catch all the games live on the Internet at www.auburntigers.com with Nathan Ealy calling the game. Those in the Auburn area can also catch each game on their radio dial at WANI-AM (1400).

TIGER NOTES: Ashley Griffin has now hit at least five home runs her last two seasons ... She had six in 2004 and now has 14 in three seasons on the Plains ... Holly Currie loaded the bases to start the fourth inning, then forced three straight outs to get out of the inning unscathed ... She gave up two singles and a walk to start the inning, then struck out pinch hitter Lynette Karp and Lauren Rowe and forced Rebecca McIntire to fly out to right ... The Tigers are now 7-2 in their last nine games in Oxford ... They are 14-3 overall in games at Ole Miss ... Auburn wore its blue uniforms and is now 16-2 in them this season.