CLEARWATER, Fla. – Historic home runs for Rose Roach and Ma’Nia Womack and a gutsy performance by the pitching staff carried Auburn softball to a 6-3 win over Clemson Thursday at the Eddie C. Moore Complex to open action at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Presented by EvoShield.
Roach, a senior, connected for the first home run of her collegiate career while Womack added her first blast as a Tiger to help Auburn earn the win to improve to 6-0 to start the season.
“It was awesome to see them come out and respond after Clemson took an early lead,” co-head coach Chris Malveaux said. “I loved how Chalea (Clemmons) settled in. I really loved how our offense took charge. We were aggressive early on. It was great to see our team come out and throw some punches. We had some opportunities to put the game away. We need to get a little better at that throughout the weekend, but overall, proud of the team and how they got after it.”
Clemson (3-4) jumped on the board early with a solo home run from Maddie Moore in the first inning, but Auburn responded with six unanswered runs. It all began in the home half of the first as Nelia Peralta led off with a single up the middle before back-to-back doubles from Icess Tresvik and Anna Wohlers had Auburn up 2-1. Wohlers closed the game 2-for-3, adding a triple in the third.
Roach connected with her solo blast to straightaway center in the bottom of the second to extend the lead to 3-1.
“There were so many emotions that went through my head,” Roach said. “To see my family in the stands, for my dad to be here, this was something we’ve always wanted throughout my career. I got it my senior year. Seeing my teammates at home plate, I truly have not felt so happy in my entire life.”
Initiated into the Bomb Squad 💪💣#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/07qyhWOLbl
— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) February 13, 2025
With two on and two outs in the bottom of the third, Womack came through with Auburn’s second home run of the game, marking the fifth consecutive multi-home run game for the Tigers. It’s the first time Auburn has started a season with at least one home run in six straight games since 2022.
Clemson attempted a comeback, scoring runs in the fourth and fifth innings. SJ Geurin tossed two scoreless innings of relief to close the game out and earn the save. She was tagged for two hits and recorded a strikeout.
Chalea Clemmons earned the start and the win to improve to 3-0 in the circle. Clemmons went five innings in the outing and worked around five hits. She struck out on. The pair combined for zero free passes in the contest.
UP NEXT
Auburn continues its Clearwater slate on Friday with a twin billing at the Eddie C. Moore Complex. The Tigers open the morning against Virginia at 9 a.m. CT on ESPN2 before facing UCF at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.