Three days and five games later, the Tiger Invitational has come to a close, with Auburn going a perfect 5-0 and carrying that record into the Clearwater Invitational next week. Auburn started their season perfectly and kicked off a new era on the Plains in the first series under the direction of Co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux.
Perhaps the biggest concern for the Tigers this season was the pitching staff after losing Maddie Penta and Shelby Lowe. The pitching staff far outperformed expectations in their first showing of the year. Perhaps the best showing from the weekend was SJ Guerrin's outing Friday night against North Carolina. She gave up one run in the first inning but ended up completing the game and getting the win in her first collegiate start.
“She's got some good stuff it's a different look,” Co-head Coach Chris Malveaux had to say about Clemmons first outing. “She spins the ball really well it's difficult to barrel her up.”
Also impressive this weekend for Auburn was their chameleon-like ability to play and win in different ways. Friday it was the defense that shined holding opponents to low scores, just two total runs on Friday. On Saturday it was two incredible come-from-behind wins posting 19 runs across the two games including a nine-inning 10-9 win over Appalachian State. Finally, on Sunday to cap off the weekend, the Tigers showcased their potential by taking down North Carolina in a run-rule game where they put up 11 runs in conjunction with Chalea Clemmons’ shutting out the Tar Heels until she was pulled in the fifth inning.
Auburn’s offense showed out to be led by KK McCrary. McCrary’s weekend saw her shoot herself to the front of the stat sheet in several categories, including RBIs, where in one weekend she put up six, including a two-run double in the final game of the weekend.
Also making an expected jump was Nelia Peralta. Her best game of the weekend came Saturday afternoon against App State where she went three of six at the plate with four RBIs and three runs scored herself, including a ninth-inning walk-off home run to complete the massive comeback over the Mountaineers. Her weekend ended 11-18 at the plate with a perfect three for three day on Saturday afternoon against Southern Illinois. Two of her biggest games came in contests where the Tigers were down and needed an offensive catalyst.
Overall it will be considered a beyond-exceptional weekend to start both the Malveaux era and season. Auburn will carry their undefeated record into Clearwater, Florida, where they will clash next weekend with some of the top teams in the nation.
Tigers are back in action Thursday afternoon against the Clemson Tigers at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and WEGL 91.1 FM in conjunction with the Auburn Sports Network.
