AUBURN, Ala. – A three-run second inning was all Auburn softball (3-0) needed on Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field as the Tigers swept opening weekend with a 3-1 victory over Southeastern Missouri State (0-3).
"Like any three-game series, the third one is always the toughest," said head coach Mickey Dean. "The last game is always a dogfight, especially when you've won the first two."
Freshman Maddie Penta follow up her impressive collegiate debut with another complete game performance as she improved to 2-0. Penta allowed just two hits and one walk over seven innings. She gave up one unearned run and struck out seven to bring her weekend total to 13.
Senior Makenna Dowell was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, RBI and a run scored. Senior Kaylee Horton went 1-for-3 at the plate and drove in her fifth RBI of the weekend. Senior Tyler King also drove in a run with an RBI double.
"I've been struggling at the plate recently, trying to change too many things," said Dowell. "Today, I went back to my usual ways, stayed calm, and it worked out well for me."
After a quiet first inning, freshman Kelsey Schmidt led off the second with a walk. Makayla Packer moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Dowell drove in the first run of the game with a double to right field. King followed with a double to no-man's land in shallow left field to bring home Dowell. Horton made it a 3-0 game driving in a run with an RBI single to the gap in right center.
An infield single and hit by pitch put two on with two outs for SEMO in the top of the third. Kynzie Wrigley capitalize for the Redhawks, driving in an unearned run off an Auburn error at third base.
The Redhawks had an opportunity in the top of the seventh with an infield single and Auburn error put the tying run on base with one out. Penta fired back with a strike out and a fly ball to right to shut the door.
TIGER TRACKS
- Going 3-for-3 at the plate, Dowell recorded her ninth career multi-hit game.
- Head coach Mickey Dean is now one win shy from his 100th coaching victory at Auburn.
- Alyssa Rivera has reached base safely in 15 consecutive games, dating back to last season, which is a new career high for the right fielder.
- Rivera stole her 37th career stolen base, which moves her to fourth all-time in school history.
- Justus Perry now stands in seventh in school history with 949 career putouts after ending the weekend with 10 total.
UP NEXT
The Tigers trek to Jacksonville, Fla., for the Osprey/Dolphin Invitational hosted by North Florida and Jacksonville University. The two-day tournament will be split with competition on Friday held on the campus of Jacksonville and Saturday at North Florida. Auburn will face SEC foe South Carolina twice in non-conference competition as well as the two tournament hosts. Auburn's road test begins Friday, Feb. 19 at 12 p.m. CT against the Gamecocks.