BIRMINGHAM –Not allowing a run in 14 innings of work, Auburn softball's pitching staff tossed back-to-back shutouts against Pensacola State and UAB to sweep a doubleheader at Mary Bowers Field to open the fall exhibition slate.
Jumping out with runs in the first three innings, the Tigers cruised to a 6-0 victory over the Pirates. Sunday's nightcap against the Blazers featured a pitching duel, but timely hits allowed Auburn to pull away with a 3-0 victory.
Senior Lindsey Garcia was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI during Sunday's action. Junior Annabelle Widra slugged three doubles in four trips to the plate, driving in a run. Freshman Skylar Elkins also picked up a pair of hits Sunday with an RBI. Sophomore Icess Tresvik was the lone Tiger with multiple RBI during as she drove in a pair of runs against the Blazers off a home run and a sacrifice fly.
As a staff, Auburn pitchers fanned 21 batters while allowing just three walks. Over 14 innings, the staff of Widra, Tresvik, freshman Emmah Rolfe and junior Maddie Penta allowed just four hits.
AUBURN 6, PENSACOLA STATE 0
Rolfe was untouchable in her first outing in an Auburn uniform. After issuing a walk to lead off the game, Rolfe retired the next 11 batters she faced to leave Pensacola State hitless. Rolfe struck out seven in her four innings of work, earning the victory.
Tresvik preserved the shutout with three scoreless innings of work and was credited with a save. Tresvik allowed one hit and pair of walks while striking out one.
At the plate, it was newcomers to the program that did the damage as Elkins and Widra both turned in 2-for-3 efforts against the Pirates. The duo each picked up an RBI.
The Tigers struck in the opening frame against Pensacola State. Widra slugged a one-out double. Pinch runner Rose Roach moved into scoring position off a passed ball before scoring on a sacrifice fly to right from freshman Axe Milanowski. Two errors committed by Pensacola State's second baseman allowed a pair of Tigers run to score in the second, extending the lead to 3-0.
Sophomore Abbey Smith led off the third with a bunt single to third base followed by a double off the bat of junior Makayla Packer. Widra knocked a ground ball to shortstop, driving in a run. A passed ball allowed the fifth Auburn run of the game to score.
The Tigers scattered a pair of hits over the middle innings but would be kept off the board until the seventh. After a Pensacola State error kicked off the inning, a ground ball and wild pitch worked the Tiger base runner to third before Packer drove in the sixth and final run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right.
AUBURN 3, UAB 0
Penta and UAB's Sarah Cespedes traded three scoreless innings before the Tigers broke through in the fourth with Tresvik's solo home run to left field.
Auburn added key insurance runs in the sixth. After Widra led off the inning with a double, a Blazer error put runners on the corners for Tresvik, who drove a ball to deep left field that allowed Widra to tag up and score. Garcia pushed the lead to 3-0 with an RBI single to left.
Penta earned the victory behind her four scoreless innings. The right-hander fanned nine while scattering three hits. Widra earned the save, tossing three hitless innings of softball. Widra fanned four.
UP NEXT
Auburn continues its fall slate next weekend in Hanceville, Alabama. The Tigers will face Wallace State at 12 p.m. CT before battling Chipola College at 2 p.m. CT.