ATLANTA – Recording its eighth run-rule victory of the season, No. 20 Auburn softball (16-1) extended its win streak to eight games with a 9-1 victory in six innings over Georgia State (5-8) Wednesday at Bob Heck Field.
"I thought Maddie Penta did a nice job in the circle," said head coach Mickey Dean. "She's been working on a new pitch during practices, and we decided to debut it tonight. It was fun to watch in the game."
Sophomore Makayla Packer led the Tigers at the plate wit a 2-for-4 performance with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored. Junior Carlee McCondichie also turned in a multi-hit performance as she went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. In her return to her home state, sophomore Denver Bryant doubled and drove in a run.
Sophomore Maddie Penta improved to 8-0 in the circle. Over six innings of work, Penta allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out 10 for her third double-digit strikeout performance of the season. Senior Samantha Yarbrough was charged with the lone Georgia State run.
Through the first two frames, both starting pitchers kept the offenses at bat, giving up one single apiece.
Auburn broke open the game in the top of the third as Bryant led off the inning with a double down the line in left. McCondichie put runners on the corners as she beat out a bunt for an infield single.
As McCondichie stole second, the Panthers threw down to keep Bryant at third, but an errant throw allowed Bryant to score. Packer cleared the bases with a triple to center before coming around to score on a wild pitch.
With Lindsey Garcia on base via a walk, the junior swiped second while freshman pinch runner Abbey Smith perfected the double steal with a swipe of home. Auburn loaded the bases with a pair of walks before Bryant brought in the fifth run of the inning with a bases-loaded hit by pitch.
Georgia State reliver Hallie Adams kept Auburn in check until the top of the fifth as senior Aspyn Godwin slugged a line drive shot to right field for her third home run of the season. The solo shot was Auburn's 23rd home run of the season, surpassing its 2021 season total of 21 in just 17 games.
The Panthers had a base runner at third in the fourth and fifth innings, but Penta worked out of the jams to keep Georgia State off the scoreboard.
Leading off the sixth, McCondichie doubled to right center. Packer followed with an opposite field hit to right to drive in a run. Following a sacrifice bunt and a walk, sophomore pinch hitter Kelsey Schmidt drove a ground ball to shortstop, the Panthers went for the out at the plate, but Packer scored safely.
Sophomore Paige Geraghty extended the Tiger lead to 9-0 as she drove in a run with a pinch-hit infield single to short.
The Tigers brought in Yarbrough to toss the sixth inning. The Panthers worked Yarbrough for three straight walks to load the bases. Auburn brought Penta back into the game, but Penta issued a bases-loaded walk to allow the Panthers on the board.
Following the walk, Penta struck out back-to-back batters before forcing a ground ball to first base to preserve the run-rule victory.
UP NEXT
In the final nonconference tournament of the season, Auburn hosts North Carolina A&T, Toledo and Chattanooga for the inaugural Jane B. Moore Memorial Tournament. Auburn opens the tournament on Friday with a doubleheader against North Carolina A&T and Toledo. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.
