Feb. 14, 2006
PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. - Auburn junior Kristina McCain drove in Sara Ghezzi with a two-out single in the top of the ninth Tuesday, giving the 17th-ranked Tigers a 3-2 victory over Georgia State at Bob Heck Field.
McCain drove the ball through the left side of the infield, scoring Ghezzi from third. Freshman Taryn Gray attempted to score from second on the play, but was caught at the plate. However, it didn't matter as junior Holly Currie put down the side in the ninth, giving Auburn the one-run win.
"We showed real resiliency in this win," head coach Tina Deese said. "I'm very proud of the way we fought back after being down 2-0 early on. Kristina got the pitch she liked and did exactly what she needed to do."
Auburn came back after falling behind 2-0 in the fourth. The Tigers (5-1 overall) scored solo runs in the fifth and seventh innings to force extra innings.
Junior Lauren Walton walked with one out in the seventh, then moved to second in a sacrifice by freshman Taryn Gray. McCain then singled to left with Walton scoring the tying run on a fielding error by left fielder Jamie Cagle.
Gray extended her hit streak to six games with a run-scoring single in the top of the fifth. The single scored junior Heather Garrison, cutting Georgia State's (1-2) lead to 2-1.
Currie started off as the game's designated player, but moved to pitcher to relieve junior Beth DiPietro in the fourth inning. Currie threw 5 2/3 innings, striking out 11 while walking one. She improved to 3-0 on the season.
Georgia State started the scoring with two in the third. Designated player Jessica Gowin walked with the bases loaded and one out, scoring Mary Kathryn Branan, who had singled to start the inning. A batter later, Nichole Griffin reached on a fielding error by Auburn shortstop Ashley Griffin. Holly Willis narrowly beat the throw to the plate for the Lady Panthers' second run.
DiPietro worked 3 1/3 innings in her third start of the season. She allowed two runs -- one earned -- and six hits while striking out four and walking three. She did not figure in the decision.
McCain and Gray both paced the Tigers with two hits and one RBI apiece.
Elizabeth Hyman threw her second complete game of the season for the Lady Panthers. She fell to 1-1 after allowing nine hits and three runs while striking out 10.
Auburn will host the War Eagle Classic from Friday through Sunday. The Tigers will open the tournament with Middle Tennessee and Jacksonville State at 12:30 and 3 p.m. CT., respectively, on Friday. Other opponents at the three-day tournament include Mercer, Furman and Lipscomb. Catch all the games live on the Internet at www.auburntigers.com and WZMG-AM (910). Auburn's games at the tournament will also be available via streaming video for the first time.
TIGER NOTES: Auburn wore its blue uniforms for the game ... The Tigers improved to 3-0 in them this season ... The newest ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Collegiate Poll came out prior to the game, and the Tigers, who went 4-1 at the Tiger Invitational, remained in the No. 20 spot ... Auburn received 108 points, down four points from last week (112) ... Michigan, which opened the season at No. 1 and did not play last week, remained in the top spot ... The Wolverines will visit Jane B. Moore Field on Feb. 28 ... Auburn and Georgia State met for the second straight season for the first time ... The Tigers defeated the Panthers, 4-2, last season at Jane B. Moore Field ... Prior to that, the teams played four times in 1999, with Georgia State taking the season series, 3-1 ... Senior Krista Barts earned her first career start, playing right field against the Lady Panthers.