Feb. 7, 2015
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 Statistics | 2015 Schedule | Auburn Softball Tickets | Plainsman Invite Schedule | SEC Network+ Replay |
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| Statistics | 2015 Schedule | Auburn Softball Tickets | Plainsman Invite Schedule | SEC Network+ Replay |
AUBURN, Ala. - It was another business-as-usual-type of day for the Auburn softball team.
After winning its first two games of the 2015 season by a combined 19 runs and with the run-rule effect, the Tigers won both of its games Saturday in day two of the Plainsman Invite in almost the same fashion. Auburn defeated Evansville in its first game of the day by a score of 12-0 in five innings, then followed it up with a solid 8-0 victory over George Washington, also in five innings.
Auburn is now 4-0 on the young season, winning all four of its games in five innings and scoring 46 runs in the process.
As efficient as its offense has been, the Auburn pitching staff tossed strong innings on Saturday, notching its first two shutouts of the year. Junior Lexi Davis and sophomore Jenna Abbott combined for the one-hit shutout of the Purple Aces in game one, while juniors Rachael Walters and Marcy Harper combined to scatter three hits and no walks to blank the Colonials.
Walters got the call for her first start as a Tiger in the day's game two. She finished with four good innings, giving up three hits and striking out five for her first win of the year.
In game one, against Evansville, Auburn jumped out to an early 9-0 lead after one inning of play and continued to jump on its opponents early. Through its first four games this season, the Tigers have scored 31 of its season's 40 runs in the first inning.
Auburn took advantage of two errors in the frame by Evansville and eventually provided the big blow after batting around on another grand slam by junior Emily Carosone. The home run capped the nine-spot for the Tigers in the inning and was Carosone's second grand slam in as many home runs this year.
Carosone has paced the offense so far this season, hitting an even .500 with four hits, two being grand slams, and a team-leading nine RBI.
Auburn went on to score two more runs in the fourth and one in the fifth, while also being able to clear its bench and have nearly every player on the roster get at least one plate appearance.
"Everybody practices and everybody works hard," head coach Clint Myers said. "So when they get their opportunity they really enjoy it. We were in a type of ballgame that we started making the subs early, so we should have played better in the second game."
Junior Lexi Davis continued her strong start to the year, winning her second in a row, throwing three innings and striking out three.
In game two, Auburn, again, put up a solid number in the first inning, plating five runs, two off the home run bat of junior Jade Rhodes. With the score already 3-0 and a runner on, Rhodes sent a laser the opposite way barely clearing the right field wall for her second home run of the season.
Rhodes joins Carosone and redshirt sophomore Haley Fagan with two home runs each through the first four games, making up all but one of Auburn's home runs. Rhodes finished the day with two hits and three RBI. As for Fagan and Carosone, the two combined for six RBI on two hits on Saturday alone.
Auburn will be back on the field for the final day of the Plainsman Invite on Sunday when it takes on Appalachian State at 1 p.m., followed by Chattanooga at 3 p.m. at Jane B. Moore Field. Both games can be see online on SEC Network+, which can only be see on the WatchESPN app or WatchESPN.com.
Fans can order their tickets for this season online at AUBTix.com, over the phone by calling 1-855-282-2010 or in person by visiting the Auburn Arena Ticket Office, which is open 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Tickets are still available for the full season, pick-six mini-packs and individual games.
For more information on Auburn softball, visit AuburnTigers.com, follow the team on Twitter @Auburn_Softball or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuburnSoftball.