Auburn softball pitcher Maddie Penta tosses third perfect game in program history
Maddie Penta has led Auburn softball to perfection.
The senior pitcher tossed the third perfect game in program history in the Tigers' 8-0, six-inning victory over Georgia State at Jane B. Moore Field on Thursday. Penta, who earned SEC Pitcher of the Year honors for the work she did in 2023 — she notched a 1.33 ERA in 220⅔ innings — struck out 13 of the 18 batters she faced against the Panthers.
Former Auburn pitcher Kaylee Carlson was the last softball player to register a perfect game, retiring each batter she faced against Ohio in March 2017. The other was earned by Holly Currie in February 2005 against the College of Charleston.
"Perfect games are special," coach Mickey Dean said in a statement. "Maddie stayed ahead and put them away early in the count. A great game behind the plate from Aubrie (Lisenby) to go along with some great defensive efforts. We got some timely hits late to put it away."
Penta has thrown 554⅔ innings in her time at Auburn, striking out 755 batters along the way. She entered Thursday's contest with an ERA of 1.67. Penta has seen more than 2,200 batters over her four-season career. She's walked 162 opponents and and has allowed a home run just 42 times.
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Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rich_silva18.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Maddie Penta: Auburn softball pitchers throws perfect game
