AUBURN, Ala. – Maddie Penta was dressed for revenge on Sunday as the Tiger ace tossed her fifth collegiate no-hitter to lead No. 24 Auburn softball (7-2-1) to a 1-0 victory over UNI (8-3) Sunday in the Plainsman Invitational finale at Jane B. Moore Field.
Penta only stands behind Holly Currie in Auburn softball history. Currie tossed seven no-hitters during her legendary career.
"Through the beginning of this season, I've had to work my way into my in-game mechanics," Penta said. "Yesterday's performance wasn't my best. I went to the bullpen and messed around with some things. I came out here and used my legs a lot better. It made my rise better and my change-up more deceptive. Perfecting my mechanics helps me throw all my pitches better."
In her third double-digit strikeout effort of the season, Penta closed the game with 11. She allowed just two base runners the entire game. The first reached on an Auburn fielding error in the second inning. The other lone Panther to reach was in the top of the seventh off a walk after a 10-pitch at bat.
Penta would retire the next three batters to leave the tying run stranded in scoring position.
Picking up her third win of her senior campaign, Penta is now tied with Lexi Davis for second in Auburn softball history with 63 career wins and is nearing Kaylee Carlson's school record of 67. The shutout victory was also the 15th of her career.
"Stellar performance on defense," said head coach Mickey Dean. "I think we made some really nice plays. Maddie (Penta) stayed ahead of the hitters. Our defense got the outs. We only made one mistake today. When you do that, you always got a chance to win a ball game."
Auburn's lone run of the contest came in the second inning. Makayla Packer knocked a one-out single to center before swiping second and advancing to third on a passed ball. Nelia Peralta perfected a sacrifice bunt back to the pitching circle to allow Packer to score.
The Tigers return to the diamond on Wednesday for their first true road test of the 2024 season as Auburn heads to UAB for a midweek tilt. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT.
