Feb. 9, 2007
HONOLULU - Jorja Bell's second-inning sacrifice fly proved to be the game-winner as Holly Currie threw a complete-game shutout Friday in a 2-0 win over Portland State. The win marked the first of the 2007 season for the 24th-ranked Auburn softball team.
Bell took an 0-1 pitch from Portland State starter Mandy Hill and flew out to left fielder Kimi Daniel, driving in Nicole Russo from third. Russo was pinch running for Tatiana Fernandez, who had doubled down the left field line to start the second inning.
The Tigers (1-2 overall) added an insurance run in the seventh when Hill walked Lindsey Harrelson with the bases loaded.
Currie improved to 1-1 this season after limiting the Vikings (0-4) to three hits while striking out seven. She walked two in the win. The complete game was the 45th of Currie's career.
"Holly threw a clean game," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "Her seven strikeouts proved she was keeping hitters off balance and she was hitting her spots. The offense came through for her and got her that lead early on, which was very key."
Taryn Gray and Lauren Walton led the eight-hit Auburn attack with two singles apiece, proving to be the team's first multiple-hit efforts of the season.
Portland State rallied late, putting runners on first and second with two outs. But Currie, on her 103rd pitch of the game, forced Portland State's Stephanie Bean to line out to Krista Klein at third to end the game.
Auburn continues play in the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Hawaii Paradise Classic Friday afternoon against host Hawaii at 4 p.m. Hawaii time (8 p.m. CT). The game marks the team's final contest in round robin play. Watch live stats for the Tigers' game against Hawaii on www.auburntigers.com.
Tiger Notes: Auburn wore its blue uniforms for the game for the first time this season ... The Tigers and Vikings met for the first time since March 6, 1999 when Auburn defeated Portland State, 8-0, in Fullerton, Calif. ... Tatiana Fernandez's double in the second was the team's first extra-base hit of the season.