AUBURN, Ala. – Behind a three home run performance by the Tiger offense at the plate and a strong outing in the circle from redshirt junior Lexie Handley, Auburn softball (8-3) picked up its third run-rule victory of the weekend, topping UNCW 10-1 in five innings to close out the Plainsman Invitational at Jane B. Moore Field.
Auburn packed on the offense early, crossing the plate eight times in the first inning. Auburn's freshmen class plated four of Auburn's eights runs in the first.
Handley shut out the UNCW offense through the first four innings to improve to 2-0 this season. The leftie allowed just one run off four hits. She struck out one and issues a lone walk.
Junior Makenna Dowell led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a home run. Joining Dowell with the long ball was senior Tannon Snow and freshman Carlee McCondichie. Both knocked solo homers in the fourth inning for Auburn.
SCORING RECAP
Bottom 1
Makenna Dowell delivered her second home run of the weekend with a one-out, solo homer to right center. After two Tigers reached on a fielding error and a hit by pitch, Maddison Koepke singled to center to drive in a run. After a two-out walk from Lindsey Garcia loaded up the bases, Maia Engelkes drew the bases-loaded walk to plate a run. Jaylin Calvert continued the two-out rally with a two-RBI single just out of reach of the second baseman before Alyssa Rivera sent one back up the middle to drive in two runs of her own. In her set plate appearance of the inning, Dowell added an RBI with a single to left center.
UNCW 0; Auburn 8
Bottom 4
Tannon Snow and Carlee McCondichie brought the fireworks with back-to-back home runs to lead off the inning.
UNCW 0; Auburn 10
Top 5
Rachel Willis led off the top of the fifth with a single to second base. Some great defense erased the lead runner on a fielder's choice, but a ground ball to short put a Seahawk in scoring position. UNCW's lone run of the game came across to score on a single to left field from Janel Gamache.
UNCW 1; Auburn 10
WHAT THEY SAID
Head Coach Mickey Dean
"We needed that. We have a lot of young kids, and they've finally started playing how they know how to play. Our pitchers started pounding the zone, and our defense played decently. The hitters made their adjustments and got comfortable in the box."
Junior Makenna Dowell
"We have a great momentum going. This team is really working well and gelling together. We look to keep that going on and on."
TIGER TRACKS
Lindsey Garcia – Earned the first start of her career at designated player.
Carlee McChondichie – Slugged the first home run of her collegiate career.
Tannon Snow – Knocked the 23rd home run in an Auburn uniform.
Justus Perry – Passed Morgan Estell (2011-15) third all-time in program history in career hit by pitches with 28 after taking back-to-back HBP in the game.
Hot Start – Auburn opened the game with eight runs in the first inning. It was the first time Auburn has scored 8+ runs in an inning since plating 12 against Texas A&M on March 17, 2019. Six of Auburn's eight runs were scored with two outs. Auburn's freshman class drove in four of the eight runs scored in the inning.
Offense Answers – After a 7-0 start for UNCW to open the Plainsman Invitational, Auburn's offense outscored its opponents 52-3 to sweep the weekend.
UP NEXT
Auburn returns to the road next week for a gauntlet of games at the prestigious Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. The Tigers kick off the tournament on Thursday, Feb. 20 against No. 23 Arizona State. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. CT. Auburn will also face No. 3 UCLA, No. 4 Arizona, No. 21 Northwestern and California while in Palm Springs.