The Auburn Tigers handled the Samford Bulldogs on the road Wednesday night, winning by a score of 10-0 in five innings.
Lindsey Garcia was the star in this one, as she finished the night going two-for-four and driving in half of the Tiger’s ten runs.
“I'm just always looking for a pitch I can hit down in the zone," Garcia said. "I'm just trying to stay relaxed and confident in the box. I just want to help the team any way that I can in any spot in the lineup.”
Garcia launched a solo shot to center in the third to give Auburn a 2-0 lead. It was Garcia’s seventh home run of the season. In the fifth inning, Garcia added another extra base hit when she doubled to left field which drove in three Tigers to give Auburn a double digit lead.
Auburn capitalized on the fielding woes of the Bulldogs throughout the whole game, as Samford committed four errors. Out of Auburn’s ten runs, only six were earned.
The Tiger’s first run of the game came off the first of many Bulldogs errors. Karlee McCondichie hit a ground ball to third, resulting in an arid throw, plating Nelia Peralta who reached on a leadoff walk.
Aspyn Godwin made her presence known after coming into the game in the second inning by hitting a two-run shot in her first at bat, in the fourth inning. Godwin’s home run put the Tigers up 4-0.
“I have been focusing more on getting base hits," Godwin said. "I was in a slump for a while. I was just trying to make good contact. I hit it hard and hit it far. Our whole offense can do that. It is nice to know people have your back whether you hit a home run or strike out.”
Junior pitcher Maddie Penta, had another stellar start going four innings, racking up eight strikeouts without allowing a hit. The only two baserunners Penta allowed were from two first inning walks. Penta now has a total of 166 strikeouts on the year.
Annabelle Widra came into relief to throw the final inning for the Tigers. Widra and Penta held the Bulldogs in check by just allowing a singular hit in the game. Auburn’s team ERA on the season sits at 1.92.
Isabella Newcomb got the start in the circle for Samford. Newcomb went three and a third innings, allowing four hits and three walks, striking out just one. Newcomb allowed six runs, but only two were earned.
Jordyn Partain came into relief for Samford and struggled with her control right out the gate. Pertain walked five Tigers before allowing a hit. Pertain finished the game allowing just the one hit, but giving up four earned runs on five walks.
“Samford has a solid pitching staff," said head Coach Mickey Dean. "They aren't going to blow it by you, but they are going to let you get yourself out. I thought our hitters showed a lot of maturity tonight going into deep counts and having long at bats.”
Auburn hosts another SEC series this weekend, as the Ole Miss Rebels come into town. The Tigers hold a strong 4-2 conference record. On the other hand, the Rebels have just one win in six games of conference play.
