March 7, 2007
TROY, Ala. - The Auburn softball team could not overcome three Troy pitchers and fell to the Trojans, 3-1, Wednesday at the Trojan Softball Complex.
Anna Thompson came on in relief in the third and was stellar, limiting Troy to no hits over the final 3 2/3 innings while striking out nine. But Troy's damage had already been done, scoring three runs in the first three innings off Auburn starter Holly Currie.
Currie fell to 5-6 this season, allowing four hits and three runs over 2 1/3 innings. She struck out three and walked one.
Troy (15-5 overall) opened the game's scoring early, getting an early 2-0 lead in the first inning after Alishya Paige doubled to left center, driving in Heidi Johnson and Jessica Lyle.
Auburn (11-12) answered back for its only run of the game in the top of the third. Lauren Walton reached on a bunt single, and moved to second a batter later on a throwing error after a fly out by Currie. Sara Ghezzi then singled to right, scoring Walton from second.
The Trojans, however, responded in the bottom half of the frame to go up, 3-1. Stacey Dwyer opened the inning's offense with a triple to the right field fence, and scored when the next batter, Lyle, doubled to left center.
Rocky Paige started the game and worked three innings for Troy, striking out three while walking two. Michelle Grinage picked up the win with one full inning of relief. She improved to 3-2 this season.
Auburn managed five hits off Paige, Grinage and reliever Angela Lopez.
Auburn opens Southeastern Conference play by traveling to Lexington for a three-game series with Kentucky Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 12 p.m. CT and can be heard live by tuning into WZMG-AM (910) or by visiting www.auburntigers.com.
Tiger Notes: The Tigers wore their blue uniforms and are now 6-4 in them this season ... The game marked the 11th straight road contest for Auburn ... The game marked the 10th straight season the teams have faced off, dating back to 1998 ... Sara Ghezzi, fresh off a nine-game hit streak two weeks ago, extended her current streak to three games against Troy ... Holly Currie's three strikeouts gave her 715 for her career, putting her just 12 away from tying Kristen Keyes (727) for the most in an Auburn career ... Myesha Finney was hit by a pitch in the first, fifth and seventh innings, giving her 19 for her career ... She's now tied with Lindsey Chitwood (2001-04) for fourth-most in an AU career.