Just like in Saturday's home victory against LSU, the Auburn softball team grabbed home runs Sunday from Branndi Melero and Kasey Cooper.
But this time, Auburn's defense and pitching prevented another close game and turned the rubber match into a rout.
Auburn defeated No. 24 LSU 7-0 on Sunday to take its first SEC series of the season from the visiting Bayou Bengals.
"It's a long season," said Auburn head coach Clint Myers. "We have a lot to go. We are heading in the right direction. If we can play like we played today, I will be happy. It is a young ball club, and we have to come out and have that type of execution, mentality and mindset every single day."
Melero, who leads the SEC in RBI, got the host Tigers going with a three-run bomb in the bottom of the first inning. After Auburn stretched its lead to 5-0 in the second inning on some unselfish sacrifice hitting and walking, Cooper hit a two-run shot of her own that bounced off the scoreboard at Jane B. Moore Field.
Cooper, a freshman, went a combined 4-for-10 against LSU with two home runs and seven RBI. She now has 30 RBI on the season, good enough for second on the team.
Starting pitcher Lexi Davis scattered eight LSU hits in her ninth victory of the season, but the sophomore did not walk a single batter and struck out two for the complete game shutout.
"That was a great team win because the fact that the defense was so instrumental," Auburn head coach Clint Myers said. "We are gonna attack and not give them free opportunities to score. We are gonna play as good a defense as we can. We did the little things great today."
Auburn softball returns to action at Jane B. Moore Field this Wednesday to face Troy, who the Tigers tied 5-5 in a rain-ended game to open the 2014 season. First pitch against the Trojans is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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