AUBURN, Ala. – After run-ruling Syracuse (9-4) to open its final day of competition at the Plainsman Invite, No. 21 Auburn softball (15-1) battled for a come-from-behind victory to knock off ULM (12-4) and complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field.
"I have to give credit to Maddie (Penta) and Shelby (Lowe)," said head coach Mickey Dean. "They really carried the load in the circle for us this week and did an outstanding job. I love the fight that I saw from our team this afternoon."
Auburn's high-powered offense came to play against the Orange as the Tigers slugged five extra-base hits in its 9-0 victory, ending the game in five innings. The win was Auburn's seventh shutout of the season and its seventh run-rule win. Following the weekend action, Auburn is outscoring its opponents 117 to 24.
The Tigers did most of its damage against Syracuse in the third inning as Auburn scored eight total runs. Six of Auburn's eight runs scored in the third came with two outs.
In Sunday's finale, Auburn fell behind 3-1 to the Warhawks, but clutch hits from sophomore Sydney Cox and junior Lindsey Garcia propelled the Tigers to a 7-3 victory to keep its perfect 10-0 record in games played at Jane B. Moore Field.
Auburn slugged three home runs in Sunday's doubleheader to bring its season total 22 through 16 games. Auburn knocked 22 total home runs throughout the entirety of the 2021 season.
In the circle, sophomores Maddie Penta and Shelby Lowe carried the load over the doubleheader.
Lowe went the distance against Syracuse as she scatted five hits and struck out 11 to improve to 7-1 in the circle. Penta (7-0) earned the start and the win against ULM. In four innings, Penta gave up three runs off three hits and a pair of walks while fanning four. Lowe tossed the final three innings to earn her third save. Lowe did not allow a hit and struck out three.
SYRACUSE SCORING SUMMARY
Sophomore Makayla Packer led off the bottom of the first with a single to center and advance to third on an infield groundout. Freshman Nelia Peralta drove a single back up the middle to plate the first run of the game.
After a quiet second inning, Auburn's offense came to life in the bottom of the third. Packer led off the inning with a single up the middle before moving herself into scoring position with a steal. After a walk issued to Cox, Peralta doubled to right center to drive home Packer.
Freshman Jessie Blaine extended the lead to 3-0 as she picked up an RBI as she sacrificed home Cox home off a bunt. Freshman Bri Ellis dropped the hammer with her fifth home run of the season with a two-run shot to deep center on the first pitcher of her at-bat. Senior Aspyn Godwin delivered the back-to-back jack as she also drove the first pitch she saw off the scoreboard for a solo homer.
After a pair of singles from sophomore Denver Bryant and junior Carlee McCondichie, Packer doubled to right center to clear the bags and extend the lead to 8-0. Packer pushed Auburn's lead to 9-0 as she scored on a wild pitch.
Lowe kept Syracuse in check until the top of the fifth as two singles and an Auburn error loaded the bases with one out. Lowe buckled down with back-to-back strikeouts to close the game.
ULM SCORING SUMMARY
After a scoreless first inning, Auburn got a base runner on board via an ULM error. The Tigers put pinch runner Abbey Smith into the game, and the freshman quickly moved herself into scoring position with a steal. Bryant plated the first Auburn run of the game with a two-out single center.
The lead was short as ULM drew a pair of walks and knocked three singles to manufacture a 3-1 lead in the top of the third. Auburn responded in the home half of the inning, loading the bases with no outs, but the Warhawks forced a pop up and back-to-back strikeouts to keep Auburn off the board.
Godwin sparked Auburn's rally in the bottom of the fourth as she slugged a pinch-hit double to lead off the inning. An ULM error on a sacrifice bunt from Bryant allowed Godwin to score, cutting the lead to 3-2. McCondichie knocked infield single and forced the Warhawks to make a pitching change. Putting the Tigers in front 4-3, Cox cleared the bases with a double to right field.
Auburn plated much-needed insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Packer led off the inning with a double to right center before Peralta drew a one-out walk. Garcia delivered the big boom with the three-run homer to center, her first of the season.
The Tigers brought Lowe into the game in the fourth inning to shut down the Warhawks. She allowed just one base runner to reach via an error to earn the save.
UP NEXT
Auburn faces a midweek challenge on Wednesday as the Tigers trek to Georgia State. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT.
