COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Powered by nine total hits, including three for extra bases, Auburn softball (20-11, 2-8 SEC) muscled its way to a 6-2 victory against Texas A&M (25-10, 4-6 SEC) to open the series Friday at Davis Diamond.
The offensive struck early, taking advantage of four free passes in the first inning and a two-run double from Alyssa Rivera to plate the first runs of the game. The Tigers would add three insurances runs in the seventh to cruise to the series opening win.
"It was a good start," said head coach Mickey Dean. "Our first three or four batters did a real nice of working the counts and seeing a lot of pitches."
Shelby Lowe tossed the complete game to improved to 9-3 on the season. Lowe held the Aggies hitless until the sixth inning. Texas A&M came on strong late with five hits in the final two innings, scoring its two runs off a Bre Warren home run in the sixth. Lowe did not issue a walk in the outing and struck out three.
Makayla Packer was unstoppable at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance. The freshman scored a run, stole a base and pick up two RBI to join Rivera with a multi-RBI game. Tyler King continued her hot streak at the plate in conference play with a 2-for-4 night with a walk and run scored.
Auburn took advantage of free passes, loading the bases in the top of the first with an infield single from King and a pair of walks. Rivera delivered the big blow, driving in two runs with a double to left center. With the bases loaded again with help of a hit by pitch, Packer picked up her first RBI of the night with a second hit by pitch issued in the inning by the Aggie staff.
Lowe would only allow one Aggie to reach base via an Auburn error through the first five innings. Texas A&M would finally breakthrough in the sixth with the Warren home run to cut the Tiger lead to 3-2.
Looking for some insurance in the top of the seventh, Godwin led off the inning with a double to right field. With Lindsey Garcia on with a one-out walk, Packer would drive a single down the line to left to bring Godwin home.
Garcia and Godwin perfected a double steal. An errant throw to third base by the Aggies allowed both runners to advance 60 feet with Garcia sliding into home safely. Makenna Dowell plated the final run of the inning beating out a bunt for an RBI single.
The Aggies looked to make some noise late with back-to-back, two-out singles in the home half of the inning, but Lowe forced a fly ball to left for the victory.
TIGER TRACKS
- Auburn has now won four straight over Texas A&M. Tonight was Auburn's first win in College Station since 2015.
- Makayla Packer recorded her sixth multi-hit game of the season and her third multi-RBI game of the season.
- Tyler King recorded her sixth multi-hit game of the season.
- Alyssa Rivera recorded her second multi-RBI game of the season and the 33rd of her career. She is now tied with Morgan Estell (2011-2015), Tatiana Fernandez (2006-09), and Ashley Moore (1999-02) for the eighth most multi-RBI games in Auburn career history.
- Alyssa Rivera is also now tied with Carlee Wallace (2015-17) and Tatiana Fernandez (2006-09) for 10th in Auburn career history with 123 RBI.
ON DECK
The Tigers look for their first series win of the 2021 season as they take on Texas A&M in game two of the series on Saturday. First pitch on the SEC Network is set for 4 p.m. CT.