March 19, 2017
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The No. 4 Auburn softball team used six extra-base hits to key a 9-4 victory against LIU Brooklyn Sunday morning. The Tigers (27-3) capped off a perfect weekend on the field, winning all five of their contests.
"I think any time you can come away with five victories, it's a good weekend," said associate head coach Corey Myers. "We definitely have some work to do. It's going to be nice to be back home, get back to work and get ready for Florida."
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Auburn's total of six hits for extra bases was one away from matching a season high, however its two triples were the most in a game in 2017.
Morgan Podany, Courtney Shea and Carlee Wallace paced the team at the plate with a pair of hits each, while Wallace drilled a team-high two extra-base hits, including a double and her first triple of the season.
Haley Fagan and Kendall Veach both left the yard with home runs and combined for five RBI. Kasey Cooper laced the second triple of her career and later scored a run. Podany also added a double to round out the power display.
In the circle, Makayla Martin picked up her 12th win of the season after working four scoreless innings and adding four strikeouts while allowing just one hit. Jenna Abbott and Ashlee Swindle also saw action out of the bullpen.
Auburn jumped ahead in the second inning after a two-out rally. Veach was hit by a pitch and moved to third when Casey McCrackin tallied a single to center. Podany then took a two-strike pitch and smashed it back up the middle for the RBI.
LIU Brooklyn (12-16) took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third after it hit a three-run home run.
The Tigers responded, however, with a seven-run stanza in the home half of the third to regain the lead at 8-3.
Cooper led off the frame with a triple to right field and crossed the plate when Fagan blasted a two-run shot off the scoreboard in right-center.
Following a Shea single that reached the grass, Veach belted her seventh homer of the season on the first pitch she saw.
Podany then reached base via a walk and Victoria Draper beat out an infield single with two outs. Wallace then ripped a triple to right field and scored on an errant throw by the right fielder.
Once all the dust settled, Auburn touted an 8-3 lead.
The Blackbirds brought the margin down to four after scoring a run in the fourth, but a sacrifice fly by Fagan in the bottom of the sixth brought the Tigers back up to a five-run cushion.
Martin worked a spotless seventh and sent Auburn to a 9-4 win.
The Tigers return home for a few days before heading back on the road for a conference matchup at No. 2 Florida, March 25-27.