Feb. 13, 2010
Tempe, Ariz. - A four-run third inning sparked the Auburn softball team to a 5-2 victory over Notre Dame to complete a perfect day at the Kajikawa Classic Saturday afternoon. The Tigers defeated Texas Tech 6-1 in the first game of the day.
"I'm really proud of the way our team came together and battled after a tough first two games of the season," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "We played well in all phases, pitching, hitting and defense. Hopefully we can take the positive steps from today and carry those forward."
Lauren Schmalz (1-0) started and earned the win for Auburn against the Irish. Schmalz threw 4.0 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Angel Bunner earned her first save after throwing the final 3.0 innings. Bunner allowed just one hit with one walk and three strikeouts.
Notre Dame pitcher Jody Valdivia (1-1) had her 18-game win streak snapped with the loss. Valdivia allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits with three walks and nine strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
Auburn outfielder Caitlin Stangl tied the team record for hits in a game by going 4-for-4. Stangl had four singles against the Irish, becoming the first Tiger to get four hits in a game since Tatiana Fernandez vs. Arkansas on April 22, 2006.
Kelsey Cartwright gave the Tigers the lead with a two-run single to left in the top of the third inning. With Lindsey Harrelson (single) aboard, the Tigers got consecutive singles from Krista Clyde and Stangl to load the bases.
Cartwright then laced a single to left that plated Harrelson and Clyde for a 2-0 lead. With Stangl at third and Cartwright at second after advancing on the throw, Amber Harrison drew a two-out walk to load the bases.
Kyndall White then laced a 2-2 pitch up the middle to score Stangl and Cartwright to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead.
Notre Dame got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning when Heather Johnson hit a solo home run to center. It came on the first pitch of the half inning and cut the Auburn lead to 4-1. The Irish rally continued when Amy Buntin singled to center to score Erin Marrone (fielder's choice) to make it a 4-2 game.
The Tigers loaded the bases with no outs to start the fifth inning. Stangl singled and moved to third on a throwing error by first baseman Christine Lux on a sacrifice bunt by Cartwright. Cartwright was safe on the play.
Elizabeth Eisterhold drew a walk to load the bases and was lifted for pinch-runner Baylee Stephens. Harrison then lifted a sacrifice fly to left that scored Stangl from third to give the Tigers a 5-2 edge.
That would be all the Tigers needed as Bunner held the Irish in check over the final two innings.