AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn Tigers (18-1, 0-0) added two more wins to their season tally after beating Louisiana 6-3, and McNeese State 2-1. The Tigers are now 4-0 after two days in the Jane B. Moore Memorial.
The day got off to a quick start after the Tigers struck first in inning number one. A single from KK McCrary drove in both Icess Tresvik and Nelia Peralta. After the solid start from the Tiger bats, the Louisiana offense responded.
Following a scoreless second inning from both teams, the Ragin’ Cajuns turned it into a whole new ballgame, plating two and knotting the score at two apiece. Both runs came in unorthodox fashion, with the first coming off a sacrifice fly and the second via a fielder's choice.
Auburn would not take much time to respond, as the bottom half of the third saw the Tigers bring in two more runs. Freshman sensation AnnaLea Adams scored McCrary and Anna Wohlers to restore their two-run advantage.
Tiger starter Haley Rainey finished her day with four-and-a-third innings pitched, two earned runs, and one walk. After giving up a third run to Louisiana in the top half of the fifth, she was replaced by SJ Geurin, who picked up two wins in the Friday night double-header.
Aggressive baserunning added a much-needed insurance run for the Tigers in the bottom of the 6th. Abbey Smith started the inning off with an infield hit that she was able to stretch into a double. She stole third a few pitches later and advanced home after a bad throw got away from the Louisiana third baseman.
That wouldn’t be all the damage done in the inning, as Anna Wohlers hit home run number five on her season to give the Tigers a three-run lead.
Geurin was able to finish her scoreless outing and close the door on the Ragin’ Cajuns to finish off win number one on day two of the Jane B. Moore Invitational.
Contrary to Auburn’s Friday night matchup with the McNeese State Cowgirls, which saw an offensive explosion from both sides, it was a pitcher’s duel early between the two sides on Saturday.
Auburn starter Chalea Clemmons and Cowgirl starter Maddy Taylor were both dealing, tossing three scoreless innings each. It took a solo shot from Auburn’s Adams in the fourth to open the scoring.
McNeese State did not fold however, as they scored in their next offensive frame. The starter in the circle, Taylor, helped her own cause by walking when she stepped up to the plate. She would wind up scoring the tying run thanks to an RBI single from Kassidy Chance.
The game didn’t stay tied up for long, as Wohlers struck again with a long ball. Her second of the day and the sixth of her season put the Tigers up for good. In similar fashion to the first game of the day, Auburn added an insurance run that allowed them to close out the game comfortably.
Also, in a fashion identical to the first game, Geurin came in for the relief appearance and earned the save. Clemmons' masterful outing earned her the win, as she finished with five innings pitched and just one earned run allowed. The win was her fourth of the season.
The Tigers will go for the sweep of the Jane B. Moore Memorial when they take on Louisiana in a rematch of Saturday’s game one. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CT.
