Oct. 29, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The Auburn softball team saved its best for last as it closed the fall exhibition schedule in style with two shutouts in a cool Sunday afternoon. The Tigers defeated Central Alabama CC and Columbus State in front of a large crowd at Jane B. Moore Field.
"I thought we had good energy and good effort today," head coach Mickey Dean said. "It was a chilly day, but I thought we did alright."
Auburn scattered just five hits between the two contests as the pitching staff combined for 13 scoreless innings with 18 strikeouts.
In the first game, the trio of Kara Bilodeau, Makayla Martin and Ashlee Swindle surrendered only one hit and secured eight strikeouts en route to the victory.
Kaylee Carlson and Chardonnay Harris racked up 10 strikeouts and did not allow a run on the back end of the twin bill.
At the dish, the Tigers rattled off 23 hits, led by Victoria Draper and KK Crocker with four and three, respectively. Makenna Dowell, Bree Fornis, Casey McCrackin, Dakota Morrow, Jenna Olszewski and Alyssa Rivera each added a pair of base knocks.
"I went up there trying to have confidence," Olszewski stated. "My previous at-bats this fall haven't been great, but I'm just buying into the process and doing the right thing."
In total, 11 players tallied at least one hit in the home doubleheader. Rivera smacked her third home run of the fall, while Justus Perry, Crocker and McCrackin laced doubles.
Auburn was also active on the basepaths as Brittany Maresette, Draper, Dowell, McCrackin and Olszewski notched a stolen base.
The Tigers have one week left of practice before closing the chapter on the fall season and reconvening in the spring.