Feb. 22, 2018
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - No. 12 Auburn softball split their doubleheader vs. Notre Dame and Wisconsin on the first day of the Mary Nutter Classic, defeating Notre Dame 6-2 and falling to Wisconsin 3-2 at the Big League Dreams Complex.
The Tigers started off the day picking up their program record-tying 15th straight win to start the season against the Fighting Irish. Senior right-hander Kaylee Carlson (7-0) tossed 5.0 innings, allowed both runs, one earned, and picked up the win.
Auburn struck first in the first inning, as Victoria Draper scored on a double by Justus Perry. Draper then scored her second run of the day in the third inning on an error and Courtney Shea plated Taylon Snow on a RBI double.
Notre Dame (6-4) bounced back with a pair of runs in the fourth to bring the score to 3-2, but the Auburn offense took charge in the fifth for three more runs and put the game at bay.
The Fighting Irish's starting pitcher Ryan Beriont (2-2) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs on three hits.
Game two vs. Wisconsin (5-4) saw a defensive battle between starting pitchers Makayla Martin and Kaitlyn Menz. Martin tossed 5.0 innings and allowed just two hits, but allowed two runs. Chardonnay Harris (0-1) entered the game to relieve Martin in the sixth, and was charged with the loss after allowing the lone unearned run.
Draper continued her offensive tear, tallying two hits, a RBI and scored a run. Kendall Veach added two hits of her own in the loss.
Draper, a native of Moulton, Ala., had three stolen bases over both games to bring her season total to 17, which leads the nation.
Auburn will play San Jose State tomorrow at 2:30 CT before wrapping up the Mary Nutter Classic on Saturday with games vs. Oregon State and Long Beach State.