Tigers run rule Illinois behind Harrison’s one-hitter

Tigers run rule Illinois behind Harrison’s one-hitterTigers run rule Illinois behind Harrison’s one-hitter
David Gray/Auburn Athletics
Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. – Behind a one-hit effort from sophomore pitcher Ella Harrison and a five-run fifth frame, Auburn softball (5-2) shut out Illinois (0-6) 8-0, walking off Thursday’s home opener at Jane B. Moore Field in run-rule fashion.

“(Christian) Crawford was doing a great job of hitting spots early in the game,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “We had a difficult time. You could see a little frustration when we were leaving runners on base. Kudos to our team. They continued to fight and figured it out. They did a great job adjusting and staying the course.”

Harrison and Crawford were locked in a pitching duel through the first three frames. Auburn broke through in the first inning with an AnnaLea Adams’ RBI double. That 1-0 lead would hold until the fourth inning.

Ma’Nia Womack stepped to the plate with runners on the corners, dropping a perfect bunt to bring home a run. Destiny Rodriguez pushed Auburn’s lead to 3-0 with an RBI single to right field.

Auburn broke open the game in the fifth inning. With two one, Kyla Stroud connected on the first home run of her career, a blast to right field, to push the lead to 6-0. Alyssa Hastings followed with a solo home run to straightaway center.

Kylie Shaw doubled and moved to third base on a fly ball to right field. Rodriguez drove her home with a bouncing single through the right side to push the Tigers into run-rule territory.

Harrison (3-0) was lights out in the circle, recording her first shutout in an Auburn uniform. She allowed just two base runners the entire night with a single in the second inning and a hit by pitch in the fifth. The right-hander struck out seven.

“It was nice for Ella (Harrison) to experience pitching in this park while wearing an Auburn uniform and really feel what it is like to have the crowd behind you,” Malveaux added. “She didn’t disappoint. She kept pounding the zone and working ahead. She had all of her pitches working. She can be nasty and is tough to get to.”

Rodriguez closed the game 3-for-4 with two RBI. Stroud went 2-for-3 and led the team with three RBI. Shaw finished 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored from the leadoff position. Hastings also turned in a multi-hit effort with two base knocks.

GAME NOTES

  • Kylie Shaw has recorded at least two hits in five consecutive games for the Tigers. She now has five multi-hit games in her career. Shaw also added her second double of the season.
  • Destiny Rodriguez recorded the fourth three-hit contest of her career, which matches her career high. She last recorded three hits in a game on March 1, 2025, vs. UT Martin. It marked the 18th multi-hit game of her career. She matched her season high with two RBI. It was the sixth multi-RBI game of her career.
  • AnnaLea Adams slugged her third double of the season and her 12th double in an Auburn uniform.
  • Kyla Stroud recorded her second multi-hit game of her of her career. She set a career high with three RBI, turning in her third career multi-RBI game. Stroud knocked the second double of her career and slugged her first career home run.
  • Alyssa Hastings added her second multi-hit game of the season and the 32nd of her career. She slugged her first home run as an Auburn Tiger, upping her career total to eight. It was her first home run since April 18, 2025.
  • Ella Harrison earned her third win of the season and the 15th of her career. She has now struck out at least six batters in three straight appearances. Thursday’s shutout was her first of the season and the fifth of her career. She is the first Tiger to toss a one-hitter since Haley Rainey versus NC State on May 4, 2025.

UP NEXT

Auburn continues the War Eagle Classic on Friday. The Tigers open day two with a 4:30 p.m. CT contest versus Bradley (2-3). Auburn then battles Campbell (5-0) at 7 p.m. CT. Both games are available on the SEC Network+ and can be heard locally on WEGL 91.1 FM. Fans will receive an Opening Day on the Plains trucker hat while supplies last.