AUBURN, Alabama (EETV)- No. 25 Auburn softball opened the St. Pete Clearwater Invitational taking down Texas Tech, 7-1, at the Eddie C. Moore Complex on Thursday. With the win, The Tigers move to 6-0 on the young season.
Reigning Co-SEC Pitcher of the Week, Shelby Lowe, gave up her first run of the season in the second inning. The Red Raiders snatched the early lead in this game thanks to a sacrifice fly.
“I thought Shelby (Lowe) battled through,” said head coach Mickey Dean. “She wasn’t sharp in the beginning. Her wrist was bothering her a little, but then she settled in and battled. That’s what I love about her. She’s a tiger.”
It was not long before Auburn was able to claim the lead doing it in the next half inning. Sophomore Denver Bryant recorded an RBI single to tie the game before an error would bring home the next run to put the Tigers up 2-1.
“It was good base running,” Dean said. “You want to take advantage of mistakes on defense.”
Once the Tigers took the lead they never looked back.
Freshman Bri Ellis continued her hot start at the plate this season as she hit a three-run homerun, her third home run of the season. Ellis now has three home runs in four games started.
Ellis was not the only freshman that made an impact for Auburn in the game. Freshmen Tigers drove in five total runs on the day and five freshmen crossed the plate in the win.
Freshman Jessie Blaine hit her first collegiate homerun in the win. The Tigers have now hit 10 total home runs this season coming from seven different players.
Bryant was the only Tiger to record a multi-hit game as she went 2-for-3 on the day. The sophomore recorded a triple, a single and an RBI on the day.
“I thought our hitters did an exceptional job of sticking to the game plan,” Dean added.
Lowe got the start on the mound for the Tigers and picked up her fourth win of the season. The Preseason All-SEC pitcher went five innings giving up one run on two hits. Lowe only struck out three in the winning effort and walked her first batter of the season.
Lowe was replaced by fellow sophomore pitcher Maddie Penta in the sixth inning. Penta closed out the final two innings for Auburn. The Chesapeake City, Maryland native struck out three and gave up one hit in that stretch.
The Tigers return to action on Friday in the St. Pete Clearwater Invitational with a double-header against Wisconsin and No. 11 Texas. First pitch for those games are scheduled for 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM CST.
