Softball sweeps Friday’s doubleheader in Clearwater to remain undefeated

CLEARWATER, Fla. – An epic eight-inning comeback and a shutout performance by SJ Geurin highlighted a pair of wins over Virginia and UCF, respectively, as Auburn softball swept the second day of competition at the Eddie C. Moore Complex to improve to 8-0 and remain undefeated at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Presented by EvoShield. 

“It was a back-and-forth game to start the day,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “We knew it was going to be a fight. Winning is not always pretty. We’re still growing and figuring out who we are as a team. We are always looking to clean things up. We had some intense games, but this team is gritty and found ways to win today.” 

After tying the game in bottom of the seventh with a solo home run, Icess Tresvik was the hero again in the eighth with a walk-off walk to complete Auburn’s 7-6 come-from-behind win over Virginia (4-3) to open Friday’s slate. 

It was the performance by Geurin and the Tiger defense that was the saving grace in Auburn’s 1-0 win over UCF (6-3). After earning the win in relief versus the Cavaliers, Geurin went the distance against the Knights, scattering six hits to keep them off the board and improve to 4-0 in the circle as a Tiger. 

Geurin turned in an 0.54 earned run average with just one earned run over her 13 innings of work Friday. She recorded five strikeouts. 

Tresvik closed Friday’s doubleheader with four RBI off her two hits, turning in a .714 slugging percentage. KK McCrary knocked three hits on Friday, including two doubles, while Abbey Smith led the team with a .500 average at the plate across the two games.

AUBURN 7, VIRGINIA 6

Friday’s opener was a back-and-forth affair that featured five lead changes, but the Tigers gritted out the extra-inning win with their second walkoff of the season.

After a Virginia first-inning home run, Auburn used a two-out rally to lock the game up at 1-1. With Anna Wohlers on board with a walk, McCrary delivered her first double of the day to tie the game.

The Cavaliers regained the lead in the second as a leadoff walk turned into a run, but again the Tigers immediately answered. A Rose Roach single and a Smith walk turned the lineup over. Tresvik came up with the two-out single to clear the bags and put Auburn in front 3-2.

A pair of Virginia doubles in the third and solo home run to lead off the sixth gave the Cavaliers a late 5-3 lead. Skylar Elkins came up clutch with a pinch-hit home run to center field to pull the Tigers within one heading into the seventh.

The moment wasn’t too big for Tresvik as she led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run. Auburn would load the bases with one out, but Virginia turned a double play to send the game to extras.

With the international tiebreaker in play, Virginia started the eighth with a runner on second. After stealing third, the Cavaliers traded a run for an out to take the 6-7 advantage. 

Auburn tied the game up with the first batter of the home half as a throwing error on a Roach sac bunt allowed Ma’Nia Womack to score and tie the game. The Tigers loaded the bases ahead of Tresvik with a pair of infield hits. She drew the walk to walk off the Auburn win. 

Geurin tossed six innings of relief to earn the win. She gave up one earned run off five hits and a pair of walks while striking out three. Haley Rainey earned the start and went two innings for the Tigers.

AUBURN 1, UCF 0

Friday’s finale was a different story as Auburn only totaled three hits at the plate. It was Geurin and the Tiger defense that help secured the victory. Auburn’s defense turned a pair of double plays and several outfield snags to keep the Knights scoreless. 

Auburn was held hitless until the fourth inning. Wohlers recorded the first Tiger hit with a double to left field. McCrary plated the lone run with a single up the middle.

Geurin scattered six hits and stranded five Knights to record her first shutouts. She recorded a pair of strikeouts.

UP NEXT

Another doubleheader slate awaits the Tigers on Saturday. The Tigers open the twin billing at noon versus Charlotte before facing their first top-25 test of the 2025 campaign when Auburn faces No. 9 Oklahoma State at 3 p.m. CT. Both contests are available on ESPN+.