Feb. 17, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. -- No. 13 Auburn softball wrapped up day two of the Tiger Invitational with yet another doubleheader sweep to improve to 11-0. It just the third time in program history that Auburn has started a season with 11-straight wins and the first since 2015.
The Tigers defeated Maryland 12-1 and Saint Francis 5-0 in the second installment of the Tiger Invitational Saturday at Jane B. Moore Field.
Saturday's games followed a similar pattern as the games on day one of the Tiger Invitational, where Auburn showcased their offensive power in one and their pitching dominance in another.
Auburn faced Maryland (2-5) in the first game of the day, a lopsided affair that saw the Tigers showcase some power in their bats as they rattled off 11 hits to defeat the Terapins 12-1 in five innings
Leading the way for the Tigers' offense was sophomore Alyssa Rivera, who batted 1.000, going 2-for-2 with two RBI and three runs scored, including a two-run homerun to right field. Victoria Draper, KK Crocker and Taylon Snow each went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Although the offense took care of business, Kaylee Carlson kept Maryland at bay and picked up her fifth win of the season (5-0). The senior right-hander pitched four innings, striking out six batters and allowed just one hit and one run.
Sydney Golden (0-1) was charged with loss for the Terrapins. Bridgette Nordberg had Maryland's only hit and run, which was scored in the second inning on a passed ball.
Auburn's second game of the day was a rematch with Saint Francis (2-5), who the Tigers beat Friday in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the seventh.
The Red Flash once again went to sophomore pitcher Abby Trahan (2-4), who gave Auburn hitters a fit for the second day in a row, striking out four and only allowing just five hits to Auburn's red-hot offense. She was responsible for five runs, which ultimately resulted in in a 5-0 loss.
The difference in the game would once again be the play in the circle for Auburn. Junior Makayla Martin (5-0) dominated from start to finish, striking out nine batters, just one shy of her career-high. The right-hander from San Diego, Calif. allowed just two hits to Saint Francis in another complete-game shutout. She has yet to allow a run through 27 innings, a career-best. "I knew it was there. It is completely up to her," head coach Mickey Dean said. "I think she has a lot of confidence, and I think all of our pitchers do right now and that is a good thing,"
Though quieter than the first game, the Tigers' offense still put up a 5-spot, led by the Snow sisters from Chino Hills, Calif., who both batted 2-for-3. Taylon finished with one RBI and one run scored and Tannon finished with two RBI and one run scored on a 2-run home run to left.
Taylon Snow, a freshman, is leading the Tigers in batting average at .563.
Sophomore Justus Perry notched her team-leading third home run of the season in the third inning on a moon shot that cleared the scoreboard in left-center.
"She is one of the most even-keel players I have ever coached," Dean said. "She is just in her zone all the time. Sometimes the best thing to do as a coach is just get out of the way, and let them go. She is one of those players."
Auburn looks to extend their perfect record in another doubleheader Sunday. The Tigers will face Maryland at 10:30 a.m. CT and Georgia State at 1 p.m. CT to conclude the Tiger Invitational.