AUBURN, Ala. – Behind two phenomenal pitching debuts by Tiger freshmen, Auburn softball (2-0) swept its season-opening doubleheader against Southeastern Missouri State (0-2) at Jane B. Moore Field on Saturday.
Right-hander Maddie Penta set the bar in her collegiate debut, tossing the 26th no-hitter in program history. It was the first for the Tigers since the 2018 season. Penta struck out seven in her five innings of work. She allowed just four walks.
"For a long, long time, ever since I was a little girl, I've been waiting to have this opportunity," Penta said. "I've been working for it. To be able to step out on this field and be with this amazing and amazing coaching staff is all I could hope for. It was amazing."
Auburn's offense was highlighted by home runs by freshman Kelsey Schmidt and junior Aspyn Godwin as the Tigers earned an 8-0 victory in five innings.
It was left-hander Shelby Lowe's turn in the circle in game two of Saturday's doubleheader. The freshman worked around eight hits and a walk to allow just one run in 5.1 innings. Her collegiate debut was highlighted by 11 strikeouts.
The Tigers struggled in the early innings but broke through with four runs in the sixth to claim a 5-1 victory.
"Our defense was tremendous today," said fourth-year head coach Mickey Dean. "We played 12 innings today, had some assists from the outfield, no errors and great decisions. That's what excites me. Making key plays in key situations is always important, no matter what sport. You know what to do, but can you execute? We did tonight and that's what was important."
Godwin and freshman Makayla Packer led the way at the plate with three hits each over Auburn's doubleheader. Godwin led the Tigers with a home run, triple, five RBI and three runs scored. Senior Kaylee Horton added four RBI in her Auburn debut.
GAME ONE RECAP
Penta set the stage, fanning three in her first inning of work. Kelsey Schmidt delivered the big hit in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run in her first collegiate at-bat, bringing home graduate player Alyssa Rivera who reached on a walk.
Auburn continued the pressure in the second inning, loading the bases with a walk and back-to-back bunt singles from speedy Packer and senior Makenna Dowell. Horton extended the lead to 4-0, driving in two with a sacrifice fly to deep right.
Graduate player Justus Perry knocked a one-out single up the middle to kick off Auburn's big third inning. After freshman Denver Bryant got on board with a walk, Godwin cleared the bases with a home run that just cleared the wall in center. The Tigers added an unearned run in the inning with help of three errors by SEMO.
GAME TWO RECAP
It was a pitchers' duel through the first four innings of game two before the Tigers finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. The Tigers led off the inning with three straight singles from Godwin, Packer and Dowell. Horton drove in the first run of the game with a one-out grounder to second.
SEMO answered with back-to-back doubles in the top of the sixth to tie the game up at 1-1 before sophomore KK Dismukes took over in the circle. The Redhawks looked poised to score again with a single up the middle, but Packer loaded up with a throw to home in time for Godwin to make the tag.
With two runners on with one out in the bottom of the sixth, Godwin tripled to center to clear the bases. Packer turned on a second gear and turned a shallow hit to left into an RBI double to extend the lead to 4-1. After stealing third, Packer would score on a ground out to third.
Dismukes tossed the final 1.2 innings to pick up the win in relief. She allowed two hits, one walk and struck out one.
TIGER TRACKS
- Nine players made their Auburn debuts during Saturday's doubleheader: Makayla Packer, Kelsey Schmidt, Denver Bryant, Kaylee Horton, Sydney Cox, Maddie Penta, Reena Falisi, Shelby Lowe and Paige Geraghty.
- Six Tigers earned their first starts in Auburn uniforms: outfielders Makayla Packer and Kelsey Schmidt, infielders Denver Bryant and Kaylee Horton and pitchers Shelby Lowe and Maddie Penta.
- Maddie Penta's no-hitter was the 26th in program history. It was the first since Makayla Martin tossed a no-hitter against Maryland on Feb. 18, 2018.
- Aspyn Godwin tied her career high with three RBI in game one against SEMO, matching her three-RBI effort against Villanova on Feb. 24, 2019.
- Head Coach Mickey Dean is now just two wins shy from his 100th coaching victory at Auburn.
UP NEXT
Auburn goes for the series sweep over Southeast Missouri State on Sunday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. CT.