Harrison strikes out 13, Tigers top USC Upstate 2-1

Harrison strikes out 13, Tigers top USC Upstate 2-1Harrison strikes out 13, Tigers top USC Upstate 2-1
Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. – Sunday’s Jane B. Moore Memorial finale featured a pitchers’ duel as Auburn softball’s Ella Harrison struck out 13 and gritted out a 2-1 victory over USC Upstate at Jane B. Moore Field.

Harrison went the distance and set a season high for strikeouts in the process. She scattered four hits and worked out of late jams, including leaving the tying run in scoring position in the seventh. She improved to 8-2 in the circle.  

“Ella was doing her thing,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “She had command of her pitches and did an incredible job of working ahead. Upstate had to guess a little bit, which works in her favor. She was in control the whole time.”

Offensively, the Tigers were held to five hits and left nine runners on base throughout the game. Senior McKaela Walker turned in the lone multi-hit performance with a 2-for-4 outing.

The Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the second. Freshman Haven Roebuck tripled to right field to lead off the inning. She scored on a sacrifice fly from redshirt sophomore Kyla Stroud.

Auburn added its second run in the bottom of the fourth. After loading the bases with a pair of free passes and a Walker bunt single, AnnaLea Adams drove in the go-head run off a fielder’s choice.

Harrison held the Spartans hitless until the fourth inning. An infield single and stolen base put a runner in scoring position. A two-out single to left field would tie the game at 1-1 before Adams came up with the go-head RBI.

The Spartans had chances late, loading the bases in the sixth and putting the tying run in scoring position in the seventh, but Harrison worked out of both jams with timely strikeouts.

GAME NOTES

  • Kylie Shaw drew a walk and knocked a single to extend her hit base streak to 23 consecutive games.
  • McKaela Walker recorded her sixth multi-hit game of the season to up her career total to seven.
  • Haven Roebuck slugged the first triple of her career.
  • Ella Harrison struck out a season high 13 batters in the contest. It was her second double-digit strikeout effort of the season and the ninth of her career. Harrison also went the distance for the fifth time this season. She now has 23 complete games in her career.

UP NEXT

Auburn opens Southeastern Conference play next weekend, hosting Kentucky at Jane B. Moore Field. It is Go Wild War Eagle Weekend. Fans can receive points for attending Auburn Athletics home events over the weekend to compete for a Yeti prize pack. At softball, spring break themed items will be given out over the course of the series. The series begins on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. All three games are available on the SEC Network+. Fans can listen locally on WEGL 91.1 FM or can stream the radio call on the Auburn Tigers website and mobile app.