AUBURN, Ala. – Extending its streak of run-rule victories to five straight, Auburn softball (9-2) defeated Bradley (3-6) and Binghamton (1-8) Saturday at Jane B. Moore Field to cap an undefeated showing at the War Eagle Classic.
“Our team is all about trying to win every pitch and staying consistent,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “You’re going to face adversity and have to put the puzzle together, but that’s all it is. They grind. They work hard. It’s a fun group that really likes to get after it. They put together a weekend where they were locked in. We just got to make sure we rest up and be able to do it again.”
It was a two-run game heading into the bottom of the third, but Auburn scored six unanswered runs to walk off a 13-5 run-rule victory over Bradley. Junior SJ Geurin and freshman Charley Butler combined to hold Binghamton to a lone run while the Tiger offense exploded for 13 hits to take down the Bearcats 11-1 in five innings.
Senior McKaela Walker turned in a 4-for-5 performance across Saturday’s slate with a double, a home run, two walks, two runs scored and three RBI. Sophomore Kylie Shaw led the team with five hits and four runs scored. Senior Destiny Rodriguez tallied six RBI off her three hits and scored three runs.
Across its streak of five consecutive run rules, Auburn’s offense has outscored opponents 57 to 12. The Tigers totaled 28 extra-base hits to slug at a .911 team clip.
AUBURN 13, BRADLEY 5
The Tigers jumped out early with four runs in the first frame. With two on and one out, a fielding error at third base brought in the first run. Freshman Haven Roebuck delivered with her second home run of the season to build the Tiger lead.
An Auburn error in the second inning allowed the Braves to cut the lead in half, but the Tigers countered in the home half with homers from sophomore AnnaLea Adams and Walker to make it a 7-3 game.
Bradley’s Emly Organ homered in the third to pull the Braves within two, but Auburn again countered in the bottom half with an RBI double from junior Ma’Nia Womack and a sacrifice fly from Roebuck.
The Tigers added RBI singles from Shaw and Rodrigeuz in the fourth to push the lead to 11-5.
A pair of singles form Roebuck and Walker set the table in the bottom of the fifth. The Tigers traded a run for an out to take a 12-5 lead. With the decisive run standing at third base with two outs, freshman Daigle Wilson legged out a bunt single while Walker streaked home to secure the run rule.
Shaw finished the contest with three hits and an RBI. Roebuck went 2-for-3 with four RBI while Walker added two hits and an RBI.
Junior Malayna Tamborra earned her first start of the season. The right-hander tossed 2.2 innings and gave up just two earned runs. She struck out one in the appearance. Redshirt freshman Abby Herndon (1-1) earned the win in relief. She gave up just one hit in 2.1 innings of work while striking out three.
AUBURN 11, BINGHAMTON 1
Stepping to the plate with the bases loaded, Walker gave Auburn a first-inning lead as she drove in two with a single to left field. The Tigers broke the game open in the second inning, scoring four runs. Rodriguez delivered the big hit with a three-run home run to right field.
Binghamton got on the board in the third frame with a solo home run, but the Tigers quickly countered scoring five runs in the home half of the inning.
Redshirt sophomore Kyla Stroud led off the frame with a solo home run to left center. Auburn loaded the bases with an Alyssa Hastings double, a Shaw walk and a Womack single to left.
Rodriguez scored two with a single through the right side while Adams knocked a sacrifice fly to make it a 10-1 contest. Auburn loaded the bases back up with two outs for Stroud, who earned her second RBI of the inning by drawing the bases-loaded walk.
Geurin and Butler kept the Bearcats in check at the plate. Geurin earned the start and the win to improve to 2-1. She gave up just one run off three hits and a walk while striking out three. Butler tossed two hitless innings of relief, allowing just a walk. She struck out a pair.
Five different Tigers turned in multi-hit contests against the Bearcats. Rodriguez paced with the way with five RBI in the contest.
GAME NOTES
- Kylie Shaw recorded two multi-hit games on Saturday. She has recorded multiple hits in eight of Auburn’s 11 games. She set a career high with three hits versus Bradley. She slugged her first career triple versus Binghamton.
- Haven Roebuck recorded her fourth multi-hit game of the season and her third multi-RBI game of the season versus Bradley. She slugged the second home run of the season in the contest.
- McKaela Walker turned in two multi-hit outings on Saturday to bring her career total to three. She added her second multi-RBI game of the season versus Bradley, upping her career total to seven. She added her second home run of the season versus Bradley. She now has four in her career. She slugged her second double of the season versus Binghamton to bring her career total to four.
- Annalea Adams recorded her fourth multi-RBI game of the season to bring her career total to 17. She slugged her third home run of the season and the 13th of her career.
- Ma’Nia Womack slugged her second double of the season and the third of her career.
- Ava Ratliff knocked her second double of the season versus Bradley.
- Destiny Rodriguez matched her career high with three runs scores versus Binghamton while setting a career high with five RBI. It was her ninth career multi-RBI game and her 21st career multi-hit game. She connected on her fourth home run of the season and the eighth of her career.
- Alyssa Hastings added her fourth multi-hit game of the season, upping her career total to 34. She slugged her second double of the season, which was the 27th of her career.
- Kyla Stroud turned in her third multi-hit and third multi-RBI game of the season. She also added her second home run of the year.
- SJ Geurin earned her second victory of the season versus Binghamton. She has now been credited with 26 career wins.
UP NEXT
With Sunday’s slat canceled due to inclement weather, Auburn returns to action on Thursday at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California. The Tigers open the tournament with games versus No. 14 Oregon and No. 6 UCLA. All six of Auburn’s contests in California will be available to stream on FloSports. A paid subscription is needed to access. JJ Jackson will have the radio call for all six games on WEGL 91.1 FM and the Auburn Sports Network.