Softball defeats NDSU for first win of Clint Myers Era

After inclement weather caused the Clint Myers Era of Auburn softball to begin in a bizarre fashion Thursday night, the Tigers were able to pick up their first win of the season for their new head coach Friday in their home opener against North Dakota State.
Sophomore Emily Carosone led the Tigers on offense Friday night as she went 3-for-4 with three runs scored in an 11-3 victory over the visiting Bison in six innings.
After falling behind in both the first and second innings to NDSU, Auburn scored three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 4-3 lead that it would never relinquish.
"The thing that was impressive about tonight was they scored in the first inning and we came back and answered," Myers said. "The second inning, the scored and we came back and answered. It's about winning innings and we did a much better job of staying with the plan and executing that plan."
Auburn scored seven more runs in the final four innings of the ball game while sophomore Lexi Davis pitched four innings of shutout softball in relief of starter Marcy Harper. Davis also came off the bench to shut down the opponent's offense in the Tigers' season-opening tie with Troy.
"You are going to see both of them pitching again," Myers said. "They are going to be a relief and we will hopefully see some of the other kids pitching. If we can continue to get strikes and play good defense, we will play with whoever is in the circle."
Junior Brandi Melero hit a home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Auburn a commanding 10-3 lead over NDSU. Melero's teammates in the middle of the Auburn lineup enforced the mercy rule in the next inning as Morgan Estell knocked in Tiffany Howard from second base.
Auburn will play their next two games of the Plainsman Invite on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers face Morehead State at 3:30 p.m. and Louisiana-Monroe at 5:30 p.m. at Jane B. Moore Field.