Bats stay hot as Tigers triumph twice on Sunday

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AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn softball team came alive at the plate in a pair of exhibition wins against North Georgia and Valdosta State Sunday afternoon. In total, 11 players tallied one or more hits, while six knocked in at least one run at Jane B. Moore Field.

"I thought it was a very good day," head coach Mickey Dean said. "If we can stay this focused, if we can stay within ourselves and stay on course, I think it will be a very bright season. We just can't get caught up in all the limelight. 

"All-Americans aren't the ones who go to and win the World Series; it's the great teams that do that. We're just looking to be a great team every day. We're still figuring that out, but we're doing a very good job. We're well ahead of where we were last year."

Casey McCrackin led the charge at the dish with a cycle scattered across both games. The senior racked up four hits to go along with three RBI and a stolen base.

Brittany Maresette and Kendall Veach each laced three hits, while Morgan Podany secured two base knocks with two RBI.

Seven others earned a hit, including KK Crocker, Bree Fornis, Makayla Martin, Justus Perry, Alyssa Rivera, Tannon Snow and Abby Tissier, to round out the offensive output.

Fornis swiped three bases, while Rivera added another as Auburn remained active on the basepaths.

In the circle, the usual quartet of Lexie Handley, Chardonnay Harris, Ashlee Swindle and Martin pitched two shutouts and combined for 11 strikeouts as a staff.

The Tigers wrap up their annual exhibition schedule Oct. 18 vs. Snead State. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT at Jane B. Moore Field.