Auburn softball splits Saturday’s action, advances to Championship Sunday
After earning a convincing 12-2 win over Cal State Fullerton on Friday in the Clemson Regional opener, the Auburn Tigers took part in a challenging second day that saw them go 1-1 on the day.
The day began with an anticipated game with regional host, Clemson. The game was tight through the first four innings, but a five-run 5th inning would allow Clemson to pull away from Auburn and earn the 7-0 win.
In the nightcap, Shelby Lowe’s stellar outing in the circle lifted the Tigers to a 5-0 win over Cal State Fullerton in an elimination game. Auburn led 1-0 prior to a two-hour rain delay and was able to extend the lead to 5-0 in the middle innings to eliminate the Titans.
Here’s a recap of how Saturday’s action unfolded:
Game One: Clemson 7 Auburn 0
The pitching battle between Auburn’s Maddie Penta and Clemson’s Valerie Cagle got off to an expected start, with both pitchers tossing a shutout through two innings. Clemson scored first on a solo home run by McKenzie Clark in the 3rd inning to take the 1-0 lead. Clemson then broke the game open in the 5th inning by sending home five runs. The host Tigers would add an insurance run in the 6th to secure the 7-0 win.
Cagle tossed a one-hit shut out for Clemson, with the lone hit coming from Lindsey Garcia in the 2nd inning. Penta allowed six hits and five runs in 4.2 innings of work. Annabelle Widra finished the game by going 1.1 innings in relief.
Game two- Auburn 5 Cal State Fullerton 0
After a lengthy rain delay, Auburn finally prevailed over Cal State Fullerton for the second straight day by earning a 5-0 win, elimination the Titans from the Clemson Regional.
The game featured a solid pitching battle between Fullerton’s Myka Sutherlin and Auburn’s Shelby Lowe, who combined to strike out seven batters through 3.2 innings before the delay. The difference to that point was a bases loaded walk to Garcia that scored Denver Bryant in the 1st inning to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead.
After the two-hour delay, Auburn scored four runs over the 4th and 5th innings to seal the victory. Rose Roach scored two in the 4th inning on a single to right field to score Makayla Packer and Abbey Smith to extend Auburn’s lead to 3-0. Smith would also be involved in Auburn’s final two runs of the game. In the 5th inning, Denver Bryant scored on a throwing error that was instigated by a Smith bunt. Later in the inning, Smith advanced to third base while Icess Tresvik scored on a wild pitch.
Shelby Lowe went the distance in the shutout by striking out seven batters and issuing three walks.
Championship game broadcast information
Auburn gets another shot at Clemson on Sunday for a chance to advance to the Super Regional round. In order to advance, Auburn must beat Clemson twice. Sunday’s action gets underway at 11 am CT at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson.
Brit Bowen will have the call of the game on the Auburn Sports Network. You can also watch the game by clicking here.
What's happening in Norman?
If Auburn knocks off Clemson twice on Sunday, chances are their next stop will be Norman, Oklahoma to face the No. 1 overall seed, Oklahoma. Saturday was business as usual for the Sooners, as they defeated Missouri, 11-0, to advance to Championship Sunday. They will face Cal/Missouri Sunday for a chance to host the Super Regionals next weekend.
