Senior pitcher Lauren Schmalz is doing her part to lead the Tigers to an undefeated season by dominating opponents from the mound.
Schmalz was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week after winning against No. 15 Oklahoma State and No. 23 Georgia Tech last week.
"I think that Lauren has done well this season," said coach Tina Deese. "She has done what she needs to do. She has a great attitude. It's not just talk; she has followed through."
Schmalz credits much of her success to support from her teammates.
"Without my teammates the opposing team would have scored more runs. Hits may have dropped in here and there," Schmalz said. "Because of the people behind me and the people hitting, I think that is what makes the pitchers and myself successful."
The Pembroke Pines, Fla., native was offered spots by North Carolina State, Georgia Tech and several schools near her hometown before she decided on Auburn.
"I was in Colorado and coach Deese saw me playing," Schmalz said. "We sat down, she talked to me and invited me on a visit to Auburn. Me and my dad drove up, and we saw it and loved it. I thought it was the coolest place."
Schmalz was redshirted in 2009 after suffering a preseason ACL injury, but has since proved her strength on the field.
"I just try to keep thinking about getting better every day," she said. "You know, just going out there and knowing that the defense has my back and the hitters have my back, so I don't have to think that I have to do everything myself. It is definitely a team effort."
Deese is also pleased with Schmalz's determination off the field.
"Lauren works hard in everything she does," Deese said. "We spend a lot of time together during morning workouts, working on getting her legs strong. That is important for her, and overall she is just a great kid."
With an undefeated record of 14-0 for the Tigers, Schmalz is excited about how well the season is progressing compared to previous years.
"This season I feel like we got something special going on," Schmalz said. "The defense is there, the pitching is there, the hitting is there; it is like it is all gelling at the same time."
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