STARKVILLE, Miss. – Behind a three-run first inning and shutdown innings from the bullpen, No. 18 Auburn softball (35-10, 8-9 SEC) bounced back to even the series against Mississippi State (29-18, 8-9 SEC) with a 5-2 victory Saturday at Nusz Park.
"We had so may kids play in this game and had to contribute," said head coach Mickey Dean. "We're still fighting through injuries, and they came out and did what they did. Shelby Lowe gave us two innings. KK (Dismukes) gave us three. Maddie Penta gives us two. They each gave up one hit. We're shuffling the outfield and the infield because we have kids playing through injuries, and they battled. I love them."
Mississippi State scored in the second inning off starting pitcher sophomore Shelby Lowe as Jackie McKenna slugged a two-run home run. The Tigers went to the bullpen for the final five innings and received a shutdown performance from their relivers.
Junior KK Dismukes earned the win in relief to improve to 5-2. Dismukes allowed just one hit and a pair of walks in three scoreless innings. Dismukes struck out two in the outing. Sophomore Maddie Penta earned her first save of the season as she tossed the final two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one.
Auburn wasted no time at the plate as junior Lindsey Garcia singled to right on the first pitch of the game before taking second on a wild pitch. Sophomore Makayla Packer dropped down a bunt to sacrifice Garcia to third, but the ball was misplayed allowing Packer to reach safely and advance to second.
Freshman Jessie Blaine brought home both runners with a single down the line in left. She was the lone Tiger to record a multi-RBI performance in Saturday's contest.
The Tigers used back-to-back hit by pitches to load the bases and force an early State pitching change. Senior Aspyn Godwin drove in the third and final Tiger run of the first inning with a sacrifice fly to deep centerfield.
Auburn was kept off the board until the top of the sixth. Godwin doubled down the line in left to lead off the inning. Junior Carlee McCondichie delivered a much-needed insurance run with a double to deep center. McCondichie closed the contest a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.
After moving McCondichie to third on a ground ball to third, the Tigers put runners on the corners as sophomore Kelsey Schmidt drew a walk. Schmidt baited Mississippi State catcher Mia Davidson by breaking to second and stopping. Davidson chose to throw back to third base, but the throw sailed into the outfield to allow McCondichie to score.
UP NEXT
Auburn looks to take the series win at Mississippi State on Sunday. First pitch on the SEC Network+ is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
