Feb. 19, 2006
AUBURN, Ala. - Beth DiPietro struck out nine and Sara Ghezzi and Tatiana Fernandez both hit their third home runs of the season as the 20th-ranked Auburn softball team rolled past Lipscomb Sunday, 10-0, in five innings at Jane B. Moore Field.
The win put Auburn at 9-1 this season as the Tigers went 4-0 at the War Eagle Classic. Auburn defeated Middle Tennessee and Jacksonville State Friday before blanking Mercer on Saturday.
In Sunday's version, DiPietro limited Lipscomb to one hit and two walks over five innings. She struck out nine and threw just 78 pitches.
"Beth was on target today, and that helped our offense move along quickly," Auburn head coach Deese said. "I'm very happy with the way we finished the tournament. We looked crisp today and that's going to really matter next week in Columbus."
Auburn scored early on when freshman Ashley Arcuri doubled to left center in the second. The runs marked the first two RBI in Arcuri's collegiate career.
Fernandez followed up Arcuri's run scoring drive in the third, deposting a pitch from Lipscomb starter Sara Meek over the center field fence for a solo shot. The round-tripper temporarily gave the Miami native the team lead with three, but only for an inning.
That's when Ghezzi started off the Tigers' seven-run fourth with a home run over the right field fence, which effectively gave Auburn the mercy rule win. The Tigers sent 10 batters to the plate during the frame, posting six hits. Ashley Griffin and Holly Currie both had two RBI i the fourth inning.
Meek took the loss for Lipscomb (2-6). She fell to 2-4 after allowing six runs and five hits in three innings of work.
Currie was named the War Eagle Classic Most Valuable Pitcher on the heels of her 15-strikeout no hitter Saturday against Mercer. She finished the weekend 2-0, allowing just one run.
Fernandez, meanwhile, pulled in the Most Valuable Player award. She hit two home runs and 6 for 12 in four games.
Ghezzi, DiPietro and Kristina McCain were all named to the War Eagle Classic All-Tournament Team. Ghezzi finished with two home runs and four RBI, while McCain was 5 for 11 with one home run and three RBI. DiPietro finished the weekend 2-0 with a 0.58 ERA, striking out 19.
The Tigers will hit the road for the second time this season when visiting UAB Tuesday at 6 p.m. Auburn is 7-2 all-time against the Blazers, winning both games played between the teams last season, 14-0 and 8-1, respectively. The game will not be available on the radio. Check www.auburntigers.com for a full recap and box score following the contest's completion.
TIGER NOTES: Auburn wore its blue uniforms against Lipscomb ... The Tigers improved to 6-0 in their blue uniforms this season ... Ashley Griffin appeared to hit her second home run of the season in the fourth, but passed runner Tatiana Fernandez after the ball went over the fence ... Griffin was credited with a single and two RBI instead ... Other All-Tournament players included Furman's Amber Nelsen, Middle Tennessee's Michelle Wilkes, Jacksonville State's Christine Pierce, Daniela Pappano and Lauren Horwath, Mercer's Jamie Madruga and Lipscomb's Heather Collins.