Feb. 13, 2010
Tempe, Ariz. - Krista Clyde's first career grand slam broke open a one-run game and lifted the Auburn softball team to a 6-1 victory over Texas Tech at the Kajikawa Classic Saturday afternoon. The Tigers will play Notre Dame at 5:30 p.m. CT Saturday.
Auburn moved to 1-2 on the season with the win, while Texas Tech dropped to 2-1.
Anna Thompson (1-1) earned the win for the Tigers after going 4.0 innings and allowing one run, earned, on two hits. Thompson threw 83 pitches with 58 for strikes while striking out five, walking one and throwing one wild pitch. In two starts this season, Thompson has allowed four hits and fanned 21 hitters.
Lauren Schmalz threw the final 3.0 innings to earn her first save of the season. Schmalz went 3.0 innings and did not allow a base runner. Schmalz fanned seven of nine batters faced.
Ashley Brokeshoulder (0-1) started for Texas Tech and went 2.2 innings in taking the loss. Brokeshoulder allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits with two walks, no strikeouts and one wild pitch.
After giving up a two-out walk in the bottom of the third, Brokeshoulder was lifted for Karli Merlich who went 1.0 inning and allowed four runs, all earned, on three hits.
After giving up a run on a wild pitch in the top of the first inning, the Tigers pushed two runs across in the bottom half of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.
Caitlin Stangl drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Kelsey Cartwright brought Stangl home with a single to center to even the score at 1-1. With two outs, Amber Harrison singled through the right side to score Cartwright and give the Tigers the lead.
The Tigers broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning when Clyde drilled a bases-loaded home run over the wall in center to give Auburn a 6-1 lead. Kyndall White opened the inning with a double and moved to third on a single by Kelley Smiley.
After a ground out to third by Lauren Guzman, Lindsey Harrelson drew a walk to load the bases for Clyde. It was Clyde's first career grand slam and second career home run.
From there, Schmalz set the Red Raiders down in order, to seal the victory.