March 1, 2015
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AUBURN, Ala. - With a nine-run first inning coupled with a complete-game shutout from junior Rachael Walters, the 16th-ranked Auburn Tigers defeated Samford on Sunday, 13-0 in five innings, to complete the undefeated weekend in the Wilson/DeMarini Classic and up its overall record to 21-1.
The 13-run win was Auburn's largest margin of victory this season and marked the team's 15th run-rule victory in 2015.
The 22-game start is the best in school history and has been in large part due to the offensive power that Auburn has shown during its non-conference schedule. Including today, Auburn has outscored its opponents 217-48 with 86 of those runs coming in the first inning.
The Tigers scored nine in Sunday's first inning against Samford, off six hits and three Bulldog errors, but that was only the second-highest total in an inning this season. Auburn tallied 10 in the second inning against Ohio State on Friday and 10 in the first inning against Troy during the season-opener.
13 hits in total were tallied by Auburn in Sunday's matchup with only redshirt senior Morgan Estell coming away with more than one hit (2-for-2, 1 RBI).
Normally, Auburn has leaned on the home run ball, but only needed one homer today, coming off the bat of Jade Rhodes as part of that nine-run first. For Rhodes, it was her seventh of the year, tying her for the team lead with Haley Fagan, Kasey Cooper and Emily Carosone. Rhodes finished today's game 1-for-1 with 2 RBI and three runs scored.
Lost among the numerous hits and runs on Sunday was the performance of Walters in the circle. The junior put on a masterful throwing clinic, scattering four hits and striking out five. In five of her last six appearances, Walters has struck out five batters each. She currently is second on the team in strikeouts (43) behind only Lexi Davis (47).
Walters picked up her seventh win of the year as she remains perfect at 7-0 and also notched her first complete-game shutout.
Going into next weekend's tough slate of west coast non-conference games, the Auburn pitching staff has quietly put together a good resume. With a 2.15 combined ERA and 115 strikeouts this year, the Tiger pitchers have been a key component of the team's strong start.
In nine of its last ten games, the Auburn pitchers have struck out five batters or more and not given up more than four runs in any of those games. Auburn is currently averaging just under 10 runs a game on offense and over two home runs per game.
Auburn will look to continue its strong start next weekend out west when it travels to Fullerton, Calif., to take part in the Judi Garmin Softball Classic, hosted by Cal State Fullerton. The Tigers will open on Thursday against Long Beach State and Pacific at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. central.
Then, the team will face Arizona and host-Cal State Fullerton on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. central. Finally, on Sunday head coach Clint Myers will face his former team for the first time, Arizona State, on Saturday at 10 p.m.
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.