AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn (14-6-1, 2-4) hosted the Arkansas Razorbacks (20-6, 2-1) for their second conference series of the year. After Friday’s rainout, a double header Saturday was swept by Arkansas but Sunday's morning matchup was taken by the Tigers to prevent the sweep as Maddie grabbed her program record 68th win in the circle.
Games one and two were dominated by Arkansas’ bats. Home Runs and timely hitting for the Razorbacks led to a 6-1 and 5-1 win respectively for the Razorbacks. Game one had Arkansas outhit the Tigers 8-4 with two home runs. Bri Ellis started her return to the Plains hot when she went yard in the first inning leading to a four-run first for the Razorbacks.
Game one of the doubleheader not only was highlighted by the excellent play of Ellis but also the uncharacteristic play of Maddie Penta who started the game and faced three batters in the sixth before being pulled after giving up the most earned runs she had given up in her career.
Game two was slightly different from the first in the fact that Auburn out hit the Razorbacks 8-7 but Arkansas would outscore the Tigers by a score of 5-1. Auburn made errors on the basepath where they ran into three outs throughout the game, mistakes that would slow the Auburn effort to mount a comeback as runs came off the board and runners in scoring position were sent back to the dugout.
Game three, which was moved up due to weather, was an early first pitch for the Tigers. A lineup shift from day one’s contests proved to be good for the Tigers and along with a bounce-back performance from Maddie Penta who grabbed her 68th win to become the winningest player in Auburn history. Rose Roach moved up to the leadoff spot and KK McCrary moved down to cleanup as the Tigers posted two runs McCrary and Roach would come around to score when Peralta lined a pitch into center on her way to a 2-3 day.
Penta’s bounce-back day was crucial to the Auburn win. She went all seven for another complete game giving up six hits and one run on her way to four strikeouts.
On the other side of Arkansas, Bri Ellis completed her return to Jane B. Moore field with a 2-2 day to cap off her amazing weekend. Coming off of a SEC Player of the Week performance last weekend she made her case for her second straight this weekend as the Razorbacks started their conference season 2-1.
The Tigers are back in action Tuesday at 6 pm when they visit Troy for a mid-week matchup before they visit Texas A&M for a three-game set this weekend.
