AUBURN, Ala. – Behind a strong effort in the circle from the Tiger pitching staff and multiple contributors offensively, Auburn softball defeated Florida A&M 8-3 Monday night at Jane B. Moore Field.
After a hot start from the Tigers (22-10) to build a 5-0 lead in the first two innings, Florida A&M (16-14) scored twice in the fourth to apply pressure. Auburn plated three runs in the fifth, highlighted by freshman Delaney Aumua’s fourth home run of the season, to secure the 8-3 victory.
“Offensively, we were able to get some early runs up,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “I would have liked to see that continue when we had opportunities. We did leave some runners in scoring position at opportune times, and we had a baserunning miscue that was costly. Otherwise, we had several contributors, especially from our younger players.”
Aumua finished 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Freshmen Haven Roebuck and Ava Ratliff both turned in 2-for-3 efforts at the plate with Roebuck adding an RBI. Senior McKaela Walker went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Redshirt freshman Abby Herndon turned in her best start of the season. Over three innings, she allowed just one baserunner via a walk while striking out three.
“Kudos to Abby (Herndon) for landing her stuff,” Malveaux said. “She was working ahead of batters and making them defensive at the plate. She did a great job.”
Junior Malayna Tamborra (2-0) earned the win, tossing two innings of relief while allowing just two hits. She was the victim of an Auburn defensive miscue that led to two unearned runs. Tamborra struck out two.
Auburn took advantage of free bases to build its early lead. A pair of bases-loaded walks drove in the first two runs of the game, while the Tigers traded an out for a run on a fielder’s choice to take a 3-0 advantage in the first inning.
Two walks and aggressive baserunning put the Tigers in scoring position to start the second. Junior Alyssa Hastings drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before Walker extended the lead to 5-0 with an RBI double to straightaway center.
With Roebuck leading off the fifth with an infield single, Aumua’s two-run blast gave Auburn additional breathing room. Hastings added her second sacrifice fly of the contest later in the inning to push the lead to 8-3.
Florida A&M scored twice in the fourth inning. An Auburn miscue followed by a double put two Rattlers in scoring position. Auburn recorded a pair of groundouts at third, but aggressive baserunning by Florida A&M allowed two unearned runs to score as Auburn’s throws to the plate were late.
Keeleigh Spooner led off the seventh with a solo home run, but freshman Charley Butler settled back in the circle to close out the game.
GAME NOTES
- With a 2-for-3 effort, McKaela Walker recorded her eighth multi-hit game of the season and the ninth of her career. Her second-inning double was her sixth of the season and eighth of her career.
- Ava Ratliff recorded the second multi-hit game of her freshman season with two singles.
- Alyssa Hastings drove in two runs on a pair of sacrifice flies for her fourth multi-RBI game of the season. She now has 19 multi-RBI games in her career.
- Delaney Aumua hit her fourth home run of the season and has homered twice in Auburn’s last three games. Her three RBI marked her third multi-RBI game of the season.
- Haven Roebuck posted a 2-for-3 performance for her seventh multi-hit game of the season.
- Abby Herndon matched her season high with three strikeouts and has now reached that mark in five appearances this season.
- Malayna Tamborra matched her career high with two strikeouts. She improved to 2-0 this season and 4-0 in her Auburn career.
UP NEXT
Auburn’s home midweek finale is set for Wednesday as the Tigers host South Alabama at Jane B. Moore Field at 6 p.m. CT. The contest will air on SEC Network+. Fans can listen locally on WEGL 91.1 FM or stream the broadcast on the Auburn Tigers website and mobile app. Wednesday’s contest is Auburn’s annual Military Appreciation Game. Fans will receive a free “Beverage Boot” while supplies last.