AUBURN, Ala. – Behind an incredible pitching performance from sophomore Samantha Yarbrough, Auburn softball (12-8) knocked off No. 18 Minnesota, 5-1, before sweeping its Saturday doubleheader slate at the Tiger Invitational with a 10-3 victory over Binghamton at Jane B. Moore Field.
In her first start as a Tiger, Yarbrough held the Golden Gophers (11-7) to a lone hit, a solo home run in the third inning, to carry Auburn to its second victory over a ranked opponent this season. Yarbrough worked around three walks and struck out four in the outing to maintain a perfect 4-0 record in the circle.
Auburn plated three runs in the second inning with help of a two-run double from freshman Lindsey Garcia and added a couple runs in the fourth with help of a Minnesota error to secure the win.
For the second time this season, Auburn plated at least eight runs in a single inning as the Tigers jumped out to a 9-1 lead over Binghamton (1-8). The Bearcats battled back to fight off the run rule, but a total team effort that saw 19 different Tigers make a plate appearance carries Auburn to a 10-3 victory.
Brittany Maresette was a key producer at the plate as she went 2-for-3 with a three-run double in the first. Senior Alyssa Rivera made two plate appearances in the first inning only, going 2-for-2 with a double and two-run home run.
Redshirt junior Lexie Handley tossed the complete game and improved to 3-4 on the season. Handley gave up three runs, only one earned, off six hits and did not issue a single walk. The leftie set a new career high with 13 strikeouts.
MINNESOTA SCORING RECAP
Bottom 2
Abby Tissier slugged her second double of the weekend, poking the ball down the line to left. Haley Nillen followed with a walk and was lifted for pinch runner Madi Perry. A double to shallow right from Lindsey Garcia brought home Tisser. Minnesota's right fielder sailed a throw to second into the outfield allowing Perry to score. A two-out, bunt single back to pitcher off the bat of Alyssa Rivera drove in the final run of the inning.
Minnesota 0; Auburn 3
Top 3
Minnesota answered in its next plate appearance with a solo home run to left center from MaKenna Partain.
Minnesota 1; Auburn 3
Bottom 4
Nillen drew a one-out walk and moved into scoring position off a grounder to third. An errant throw to first on a Brittany Maresette bunt allowed Nillen to score while Maresette moved herself into scoring position. After a wild pitch advanced Maresette to third, Alyssa Rivera picked up her second RBI of the game with a single up the middle.
Minnesota 1; Auburn 5
BINGHMATON SCORING RECAP
Bottom 1
Alyssa Rivera led off the game with her first double of the season with a shot to straightaway center. Carlee McCondichie drew a walk while Rivera swiped third. The throw to third sailed to the outfield, allowing McCondichie to move into scoring position. Makenna Dowell cleared the bases with a single up the middle. After Justus Perry drew a walk, Binghamton battled back with a foul out to third and strike out, but an error at short loaded the bases. Garcia drew a bases-loaded walk to pick up an RBI. Brittany Marsette delivered the big blow with a bases-clearing double to right center. In her second plate appearance of the inning, Rivera kept the scoring going with a two-run homer to left. McCondichie drew her second walk of the inning and came around to score from first after a wild throw from the catcher on a ground ball in front of the plate.
Binghamton 0; Auburn 9
Top 4
An errant throw on a hit back to the circle put the leadoff runner on base for Binghamton. After a couple strikeouts and a stolen base, an infield single from Makayla Alvarez broke up the no-hitter and moved runners to the corners. Kassidy Seary plated the first Bearcat run of the game with a single through the left side. Sara Herskowitz followed up with a single to center to plate a second unearned run.
Binghamton 2; Auburn 9
Bottom 4
Aspyn Godwin put the run rule back into play with a solo home run to center.
Binghamton 2; Auburn 10
Top 5
Stephanie Ragusa knocked a one-out single to shortstop and swiped second to move into scoring position. A ground ball to first moved her to third. Tessa Nuss beat out an infield single to second base to plate a run to extend the game.
Binghamton 3; Auburn 10
WHAT THEY SAID
Head Coach Mickey Dean
"That was one of our better games we've played. We're young and we're just looking to get better each day. Our whole season doesn't revolve around one game. That doesn't happen until the end of the season. Right now, we're focusing on getting better each day we're out there."
Sophomore Samantha Yarbrough
"I don't even recognize the pitcher I was from last year. Coach Dean has helped me tremendously and I thank him for that. I never thought I could reach this level. I feel like my potential has not even reached its peak yet."
TIGER TRACKS
Samantha Yarbrough – Earned her first start in the circle as a Tiger. Tossed her first complete game at Auburn to improve to 4-0. It was her first victory over a ranked opponent.
Shaking up the Polls – Auburn improved to 2-4 against opponents ranked in the Top 25 this season after topping No. 18 Minnesota.
Alyssa Rivera – Slugged her team-leading fifth home run of the season. It was the 27th of her career. She is just one shy of jumping into Auburn's career top 10 list. She is also now just 11 RBI shy of breaking into Auburn's career annuals, currently standing with 112.
Lexie Handley – Shattered her career high with 13 strikeouts against Binghamton. It was just Auburn's second double-digit strikeout performance of the season.
UP NEXT
Auburn closes out the Tiger Invitational on Sunday with another doubleheader slate. The Tigers open Sunday against Binghamton at 11:30 a.m. CT before wrapping up the weekend against Georgia Southern at 2 p.m. CT.