Feb. 23, 2013
Corpus Christi, Texas - The Auburn softball split its two games on the final day of the Grand Islander Classic, defeating Southern University 7-1 and losing to New Mexico 2-1.
Auburn fell to 12-4 with the split. Southern fell to 0-13 with the loss, while New Mexico improved to 8-8.
"This was disappointing," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "We missed some opportunities against New Mexico. We've got a long way to go. We'll have to learn from this and move forward with a solid week of practice."
In the second game of the day, New Mexico scratched out two runs and held off an Auburn rally in the sixth inning to prevail 2-1.
Marcy Harper took the loss in relief to fall to 4-2. Harper relieved Hilary Mavromat to open the third and pitched the final four innings allowing one run, earned, on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Mavromat started and pitched two innings allowing one run, unearned, on two hits.
Lauren Soles earned the complete-game win to improve to 3-2. Soles allowed one run, earned, on three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
New Mexico jumped out to the early lead in the bottom of the second inning. Leadoff batter Cassandra Kalapsa was hit by a pitch and beat the throw to second on an infield single by Courtney Geith. After a strikeout, Jordyn Bledsoe hit a fielder's choice that Mavromat fielded, but threw wildly to third for an error, which allowed Kalapsa to score for a 1-0 Lobos lead.
The Tigers mounted a scoring threat in the top of the fifth. Caitlin Jordan singled with one out and was lifted for pinch-runner Kristyn Richards. McKenzie Kilpatrick followed with a walk to put runners at second and first. Soles, however, was able to fan pinch-hitter Austyn West and end the inning when Tiffany Howard grounded out to third base.
The Lobos made it a 2-0 game in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Harper retired the first two batters, Chelsea Anaya took a 3-2 pitch over the fence in center for a solo home run, giving New Mexico a two-run cushion. It was Anaya's second home run of the season.
Auburn got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth. Morgan Estell reached on a bunt single and took second on a ground out by Branndi Melero. Brooke Lathan then laced a single to left that scored Estell to make it a 2-1 game. Lathan took second on the relay throw and moved to third on a passed ball with two outs. The Lobos ended the rally, however, when Caitlin Schultze grounded out back to Soles for the third out.
In the top of the seventh, Soles retired the Tigers in order to secure the 2-1 victory.