Feb. 11, 2017
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico - Makayla Martin threw a complete-game shutout to send No. 2 Auburn to a 3-0 win against BYU Saturday. The Tigers (3-1) were limited to just three hits offensively, but were advantageous when given opportunities.
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"We got a dominant performance out of Makayla Martin today," said head coach Clint Myers. "She was outstanding. She challenged the hitters. For the most part, we played pretty good defense."
Martin tossed 7.0 innings and boasted a season-high five strikeouts. She limited a BYU (2-2) offense that had 30 hits in its previous three games to just five and only allowed three runners to reach second base in the seven-inning tilt.
Kasey Cooper, KK Crocker and Carlee Wallace combined to guide the offense with one hit apiece. Haley Fagan reached base in all three at-bats after drawing three walks in the tournament finale.
Martin started the game off fast and did not give up a hit until the top of the fourth inning. The San Diego, Calif. native retired nine of the first 10 batters, including four strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the offense put a runner on in the opening three stanzas, but was unable to score.
In the home half of the fourth frame, with the game still scoreless, Auburn found life at the plate.
Madi Gipson and Carmyn Greenwood drew consecutive walks to put runners on with one out. Crocker then drilled a single back up the middle that plated a run and gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
After a fielder's choice and a Cooper walk, Wallace delivered the most damaging hit of the day. She laced a single right over second base that scored two and provided a 3-0 cushion for Martin and the defense.
That was all the run support Martin needed as she worked the last three innings without a blemish and sent Auburn to its third win of the season.
"We're moving in the right direction. We talked after the game about skill development and mental preparation and execution. I thought we learned a lot from this tournament. We got quite a few kids in. We still have more kids who want to play, so we'll have practice on Tuesday and we've got to get after it."
The Tigers return back to the United States and will entertain 21-straight games at Jane B. Moore Field, beginning with the home opener against SIUE, Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.