CLEARWATER, Fla. – Battling in a pitchers' duel through the early innings, No. 25 Auburn softball (8-1) went toe-to-toe with No. 3 UCLA (5-2), but the Bruins bats came to life late as UCLA won 9-0 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
"This game is all about the next pitch," said head coach Mickey Dean. "Whether you win or lose, there's nothing you can do about pitches that you've already thrown. You make your adjustments, but there is nothing you can really do about it until the next pitch. We'll come back tomorrow and take care of business."
Auburn is now 3-1 over its four games at the St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational Presented by Wilson.
UCLA's Holly Azevedo kept Auburn's young offense in check with just two hits. Auburn's two hits however both went for extra bases as junior Lindsey Garcia slugged a triple and freshman Nelia Peralta doubled in the contest.
After giving up a leadoff single, sophomore pitcher Shelby Lowe retired the next 10 batters she faced until facing trouble in the top of the fourth. The Bruins strung together three straight hits to plate a pair of runs. Sophomore Maddie Penta entered the game and worked out of a bases-loaded jam, but the Bruins were able to push across a third run in the inning.
UCLA's offense came to life in the top of the sixth as the Bruins knocked five hits, including three consecutive home runs, to secure a 9-0 victory in six innings.
Penta was Auburn's most effective reliver pitcher in the game as she tossed 1.2 innings of relief. Penta kept the Bruins scoreless, working around one hit and a walk with one strikeout. Senior Samantha Yarbrough also tossed an inning of relief.
UP NEXT
Auburn returns to Eddie C. Moore Complex on Sunday against USF at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN+ for its final game of the St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational Presented by Wilson.