MONTGOMERY, Ala.– Falling behind by an early run, Auburn softball used a six-run fifth inning to come from behind, knocking off Auburn University at Montgomery 11-9 in a scheduled nine-inning game at AUM Softball complex.
Sydney Cox was one of the heroes at the plate as she went 2-for-3 with a double, home run and three RBI. Cox drove in the tying run with her double in the fifth. Aspyn Godwin went yard in Sunday's finale as her grand slam to straightaway center capped Auburn's big fifth inning.
Though not its sharpest performance, Auburn's pitching staff dug deep to grind out the victory. Earning the win, Maddie Penta was the most efficient in the circle, allowing a lone run and three hits over her three innings of work. Penta struck out seven of the 12 batters she faced and did not issue a single walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After exchanging a scoreless first, the Warhawks manufactured a run in the second inning with a pair of singles.
Auburn was held hitless until the fifth as Jessie Blaine led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Pinch runner Kenadie Cooper tied the game, scoring on a one-out double to center from Cox. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases before the Tigers traded an out for a run as Abbey Smith's RBI groundout to second put Auburn in front 2-1.
The third walk of the inning reloaded the bases for Godwin. The graduate student delivered as she hammered the first pitch of her at bat to straightaway center, leaving the park for a grand slam.
AUM responded in the home half as a pair of timely singles against Maddie Penta brought a run across to cut the lead to 6-2.
Auburn plated three runs in the sixth with help of a two-run homer from Cox. Smith added her second RBI of the game as she drove in a run with another infield grounder. AUM once again answered, finding holes for three base hits to plate two, slicing the lead to 9-4.
Smith's speedy base running was crucial in the seventh as she stole third and came around to score on a wild pitch in a pinch running appearance. AUM pulled within three as the Warhawks scattered five hits off Emmah Rolfe in the bottom of the inning to score three runs.
The Tigers found some insurance in the eighth as Auburn led off with back-to-back singles from Riley McNemar and Carlee McCondichie. A pair of productive outs brought in McNemar with Icess Tresvik credited with the RBI. AUM continued to put the pressure on the Tiger defense, bringing in a pair of runs off a two-out single to left.
Tresvik came up clutch in the ninth inning with an eight-pitch inning in the circle to retire the side and secure the Auburn win.