KK McCrary drove in three runs to lead the No. 24 Auburn Tigers past Troy 7-5 Wednesday night. The win was Auburn’s 30th win on the year and clinched the season sweep against the Trojans.
“KK she was on it today,” said Makayla Packer. “She was freely being KK, not in her head and playing her game doing what she does best.”
“It was good to come through for the team,” McCrary said. “We’ve been working on hitting in high pressure situations with runners on-base.”
Troy got ahead early with a two-run home run in the first off the bat of Libby Baker. Auburn responded and quickly took the lead, putting three on the board in the bottom half of the first.
“You have to answer, especially at home,” said head coach Mickey Dean. “You want to make sure they know this is their home and their field, so for us to answer was huge.”
McCrary laced her first double of the night off the left field wall to plate Nelia Peralta. Bri Ellis put the Tigers’ second and third runs on the board with a double down the right field line.
The Trojans wouldn’t let the lead last for too long, as Audra Thompson led the second off with a homerun to left center to even it back at three.
Auburn wouldn’t break the tie until the third inning off a throwing error by the Trojans. Icess Tresvik was the next hitter for the Tigers and brought in one more off a sacrifice-fly to deep right, to bring the score to 5-3.
The Tigers brought in two more runs in the fourth inning off McCrary’s second double of the game. Troy would bring in their fourth run off a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Katie Lively brought in the Trojan’s fifth and final run of the night on a solo shot in the top half of the seventh.
Maddie Penta started in the circle for Auburn. Penta wasn’t as dominant as she has been, but still put up a solid line of three runs on three hits in five innings, striking out seven.
“We knew they were probably going to hit Penta better this time, knowing they have already seen her once and having a chip on their shoulder coming in,” said McCrary. “It felt good to pick Penta up for once because we’ve rode her all season.”
Shelby Lowe came into relief for the Tigers, throwing the final two innings and recording the save.
It is a clash of Tigers this upcoming weekend, as Auburn is set to host the No. 12 LSU Tigers. First pitch at Jane B. Moore Field is set for 5 P.M. CST Friday night
