CLEMSON, S.C. – Behind a record-setting performance from freshman Bri Ellis, No. 17 Auburn softball (40-15) came out on top, 4-3, in a back-and-forth affair to defeat Louisiana (45-12) Friday at McWhorter Stadium to advance to the winner's bracket of the Clemson Regional.
Auburn picked up its 40th win of the season, marking the program's first 40-win season since 2018.
"We had a really good performance in the circle with how hot it was today," said head coach Mickey Dean. "(Maddie) Penta labored a lot, but she battled. Bri (Ellis), of course, with her at-bats was ridiculous."
The first student-athlete in program history to record a multi-homer performance at an NCAA Regional, Ellis went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, including the go-ahead solo shot in the bottom of the sixth, and three RBI.
Ellis surpassed three-time Auburn All-American Kasey Cooper for the program's freshman home run record. Ellis is just the fifth player in program history to hit at least 20 home runs in a season. She is tied with Kendall Veach (2019) and Jade Rhodes (2016) for second in Auburn single-season history.
"I am so glad it finally happened," Ellis said. "Glad to get that off my back and glad to be hitting home runs again. I found a fault in my swing during our time off. I've just been working on it. I think I finally have figured it out."
Junior Carlee McCondichie joined Ellis with a multi-hit performance as she went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.
Tying the program record's season record with her 34th start of the season, sophomore Maddie Penta earned the complete-game victory to improve to 24-9. Pent is now tied with Holly Currie (2005) for the fourth most wins by a pitcher in a single season.
The right-hander struck out five to bring her season total to 263. Penta scattered five hits and a walk, allowing just three runs. She now stands fifth in Auburn career history with 368 strikeouts.
Also moving up the record books was Makayla Packer. Packer swiped her 19th base of the season, moving into a three-way tie for fourth in a single season. The sophomore is 35-for-38 in stolen base attempts over her career and is now tied with Chris Steiner (1997-99) for the sixth most career stolen bases in program history.
The Ragin' Cajuns struck first as an early Auburn error proved costly. An errant throw to second on a steal attempt allowed the base runner to move freely another 60 feet. A sacrifice fly to center plated the unearned run.
Auburn responded in the bottom of the inning as McCondichie, moving up in order, worked a seven-pitch at-bat into a single to left. Ellis delivered her record-setting swing as she blasted a two-run home run to left field to give Auburn the lead.
The lead was short lived as a pair of doubles locked the game up at 2-2. Maddie Hayden delivered the game-tying hit with a two-out double down the line in left.
The Tigers broke in stalemate in the bottom of the third with a pair of clutch two-out hits. McCondichie dropped a bunt single to third before swiping second to move into scoring position. Freshman Nelia Peralta singled to left center to drive in the go-ahead run.
Once again, Louisiana battled back to lock the game up at 3-3 in the top of the fifth. A leadoff walk and a single to left field were followed by a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. A wild pitch skip far another away from the plate bring in the tying run.
Ellis delivered the game-winning blast in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to straightaway center.
UP NEXT
Auburn advances to the winner's bracket of the Clemson Regional and will face the host Clemson Tigers at 12 p.m. CT on ESPN.
