MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Sophomore Shelby Lowe and junior KK Dismukes combined for shutdown innings in the circle to carry No. 16 Auburn softball (37-10) to an 8-0 victory over Alabama State (18-28) in the Tigers' midweek finale Wednesday evening at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
"We were aggressive on the base paths," said head coach Mickey Dean. "In a situation we messed up on last weekend, we got correct today because our base runners read it correctly. We had opportunities today to work on that area, and we were able to execute."
With four of its five hits going for extra bases, the Tiger offense ended Wednesday's game in five innings for the program's 16th run-rule victory of the season. The win also the 12th shutout for the Tiger pitching staff.
Earning the victory, Lowe to improve to 9-3 on the season. The left-hander got into a jam in the first inning as a pair of singles put two on with one out, but Lowe responded to force a pop up before recording her first strikeout to end Alabama State's scoring threat.
Tossing three innings, Lowe scattered three hits and struck out three Hornets. Dismukes tossed the final two innings, allowing a lone hit in the seventh inning. The right-hander struck out one.
Freshman Bri Ellis turned in the top performance at the plate as she went 2-for-2 with a double, a triple, two runs scored and two RBI. Freshman Jessie Blaine was 1-for-1 with a triple and drew a pair of walks. Blaine scored all three times she reached base.
The Tigers struck early with a pair of runs in the first inning. With sophomore Makayla Packer on via walk, Blaine tripled her home with a line drive to right center. Ellis extended the lead to 2-0 as Blaine tagged up on a sacrifice fly to center.
A pair of two-out hits manufactured three runs in the third innings. Packer led off the scoring with an inside-the-park home run to right field. Blaine followed with a walk before Ellis doubled down the line in left. An errant throw by Alabama State's shortstop brought both Blaine and Ellis home.
Auburn took advantage of Alabama State errors in the fifth to get into run-rule territory. Carlee McCondichie made the Hornets pay for two errors on a ground ball to short as the junior advanced safely to third.
After Blaine drew a walk, the duo perfected a double steal to bring in the first run of the fifth inning. Ellis just missed a home run but settled for a triple to left center to pick up an RBI. A misplayed ball at first base allowed Ellis to score to put Auburn up 8-0.
Alabama State almost forced a sixth with a two-out rally in the seventh. With a runner on via a hit by pitcher, Jaeda Gardner singled to right field, but got caught up in a pickle between first and second base.
Alabama State sent the lead runner home, but the Tigers were able to force the tag on Gardner before the Hornets scored to end the game in five.
UP NEXT
Auburn welcomes No. 15 Georgia for the final Southeastern Conference series at Jane B. Moore Field. The series opens on Friday at 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network+.