AUBURN, Ala. – Florida's Kelly Barnhill showed the season-high 2,143 in attendance at Jane B. Moore Field Friday night why she's arguably one of college softball's top pitchers as she threw a 7-inning no-hitter as the Gators topped the Tigers, 7-0.
Friday night marked the first time an Auburn team has been no-hit since Kent State accomplished the feat in eight innings en route to a 1-0 win on February 26, 2010.
"We can't continue to watch 2-0, 3-0 pitches," said Auburn head coach Mickey Dean. "If a pitcher goes 2-0 and throws one right down the middle, you have to swing. You can't hit the softball unless you swing."
Auburn (34-14, 9-10) got its first base runners of the game in the bottom of the second when Tannon Snow and Kendall Veach drew back-to-back walks on eight straight pitches out of the zone to start the inning. However, both were left on base after back-to-back strikeouts and a fly out ended the inning.
Again, the Tigers got a batter on base to start an inning when Morgan Podany drew a walk on four pitches to begin the third. But, a strikeout, bunt attempt and fly ball left her on first.
From there, Tan. Snow was the only baserunner for the Tigers over the next four innings as she reached base following a wild pitch on a swinging third strike to start the fourth.
Ashlee Swindle (9-7) surrendered a two-out, three-run home run to Amanda Lorenz to start the top of the third. The Gators added another unearned run in the fourth on a throwing error by Veach. Florida (38-12, 10-9) made it 5-0 with a two-out single by Jade Caraway in the top of the sixth.
Lexie Handley entered the circle following the run-scoring hit and struck out Lorenz to end the sixth. Jaimie Hoover capped Florida's scoring with a one-out, two-run home run in the top of the seventh.
Both teams will continue the three-game series on Saturday, April 27 with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN2 or heard on the Auburn Sports Network.