March 25, 2008

Macon, Ga. - The Auburn softball team pounded out 10 runs on 12 hits to win game two of a double-header 10-0 and earn a split with the Mercer Bears Tuesday afternoon in Macon, Ga. Mercer won game one of the double-header 1-0.

Auburn improved to 28-8 with the split, while Mercer moved to 22-13. The Tigers return to action this weekend with a three-game series at home against the ninth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers beginning Saturday at 4 p.m.

Brittany Day moved to 9-2 with the win in game two. Day allowed only four hits while striking out eight without issuing a walk. Natalie Jones fell to 3-2 after taking the loss. Jones gave up four runs, all earned, on three hits in 1.0 innings of work.

In game two, Myesha Finney got the Tigers on the board with a solo home run in the top of the first inning. It was Finney's third home run of the season.

The Tigers added to their lead in the second inning when Brittany Scott connected on a bases-loaded single that scored two runs. Krista Clyde (HBP) and Kyndall White (walk) each scored on the play that pushed the Auburn lead to 3-0.

Still in the second, Tatiana Fernandez was intentionally walked to load the bases. With two outs, reliever Allison Jones threw a wild pitch that brought Cassie Trosclair (single) home and give the Tigers a 4-0 margin.

Auburn added to its lead in the fourth inning. Brittany Scott singled, moved to second on a fielding error by the third baseman and moved to third on wild pitch. With Jorja Bell at the plate, Jones threw wild to home and allowed Scott to score to give Auburn a 5-0 lead.

Starr Dorsey followed with a single up the middle to score Fernandez, who reached on the error, to push the Tigers' lead to 6-0.

The Tigers broke the game open in the top of the fifth inning, pushing across four runs. Finney got the first run of the inning across with a ground out to second that plated White. Taryn Gray then singled home Scott and pinch-hitter Krista Klein singled home Fernandez and Gray to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead.

Day shut the Bears down in the bottom of the fifth to end the game on the eight-run rule.

In game one, Jamie Madruga's RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a scoreless tie and gave the Mercer Bears a 1-0 lead. It was just the third hit of the day for Mercer and came with Page Raynor aboard. Raynor walked and stole second to move into scoring position.

Auburn got the tying run on base in the top of the seventh when Starr Dorsey drew a walk to open the frame. Krista Clyde was put in to pinch run with one out and moved to second on a foul out by Cassie Trosclair. Brittany Scott then hit a soft line out to second to end the game.

Lacey Richardson earned the win for Mercer to move to 9-5 on the season. Richardson allowed just four hits in 7.0 innings of work, with three walks and seven strikeouts.

Anna Thompson took the loss for Auburn to fall to 9-5. Thompson struck out 12 and gave up only three hits and one walk.