The No. 17 Auburn Tigers won their third straight conference series in Columbia, taking games one and three over the Gamecocks.
In the series opener, the Tigers rode the back of Maddie Penta to win 1-0. The win was Auburn’s 20th shutout of the year
Penta notched ten strikeouts over seven innings to record her ninth double-digit strikeout performance of the year. Penta didn’t allow her first hit until the sixth inning.
Makayla Packer played hero for Auburn on the offensive side, shooting a two-out single to left field plating Skylar Elkins. The hit wasn’t just the game deciding run, it was also Packer’s 100th career collegiate hit.
The Gamecocks had a chance to win it in the seventh with the winning run on first with one away, but Penta got a fly-out to right before ending the game on three strikes.
Game two, it was all South Carolina as they went on to even the series winning 8-0 in five innings. The Tigers didn’t record a hit throughout the game.
The Gamecocks notched their first run in the second inning off of a sacrifice bunt by Guilia Desiderio. Desiderio finished the game with five RBI’s.
The four-run fifth inning capped this one off, which started with a two-run shot from Jordan Fabian. The Gamecocks ended the game early off of Desiderio’s two-out single which brought home her fourth and fifth RBI.
Annabelle Widra started in the circle for Auburn and allowed just two hits and struck out five in three and two thirds innings of work. The two hits Widra allowed both came in her last inning in the circle.
The rubber match was an offensive onslaught for the Tigers, as they went on to win 10-0 in five innings. The Tigers exploded in the fifth and scratched across eight runs. The win was also head coach Mickey Dean’s 200th as the Tiger’s coach.
Penta took the circle again for Auburn and just like in game one, she completely dominated. Penta didn’t allow a single hit to the Gamecocks and struck out nine in the process
Penta’s no-hitter was Auburn’s first no-no in SEC play since 2006. The win was Penta’s 23rd on the season, which is the best in the Southeastern Conference
The Tigers put their first run on the board in the first inning off of a fielder’s choice. In the second inning, Iccess Tresvik sent a solo-shot to put the Tigers up two. Tresvik ended the game with three RBI’s.
Tresvik jump started the eight-run fifth inning with a double that plated KK McCrary and put Packer in scoring position. Denver Bryant pushed a single to right field to increase the lead to 4-0.
Tresvik and Bryant weren’t left on the bases long, as Aspyn Godwin pinch-hit and knocked both runners in on a double to left-field.
McCrary came back around in the inning for her second at bat with ducks in the pond and brought home all three runs for Auburn. Tresvik ended the inning with a single through the right side to bring McCrary home and put the Tigers up 10-0.
The Tigers don’t get back in action until next Friday when they host the Mississippi State Bulldogs, in their final conference series of the year.
