AUBURN, Ala. – No. 14 Auburn returned to its winning ways as the Tigers knocked off Alabama State, 8-0, in five innings on Wednesday evening behind consistent offense and a stout pitching performance.
"We needed consistency," said Auburn head coach Mickey Dean. "And we got it in the circle, got it on defense and, for the most part, we got it on offense. That's all we are looking for — we just want to be consistent and play together no matter who we play."
Auburn (34-10) got on the scoreboard first when Taylon Snow scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Tannon Snow in the bottom of the first. Casey McCrackin followed when she scored on a double steal as Alyssa Rivera swiped the first of her three bases during the game.
An inning later, Bree Fornis and Morgan Podany both scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of McCrackin after Fornis reached base with a bunt single and Podany drew a full-count walk.
In the third, Fornis struck again when she hit a one-out two-run home run to score Brittany Maresette, who had just stolen second on the prior pitch. The Tigers went up 8-0 in the bottom of the fourth when McCrackin scored on a Tannon Snow groundout, then Rivera scored on a Kendall Veach sacrifice fly.
"It's been a battle all season," Fornis said. "But just being a part of this team and being able to help them in any way I can is a game-changer to me."
In the circle, Lexie Handley earned her sixth win of the season as she threw three scoreless innings and allowed only three base runners after facing 12 batters. Ashlee Swindle worked a perfect fourth inning, before Chardonnay Harris struck out two in her lone inning of action.
Auburn returns to action this weekend when the Tigers travel to Lexington, Kentucky to face No. 23 Kentucky. The series begins Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m.