For No. 3 Auburn, Wednesday's performance at Georgia State wasn't nearly as dominant or efficient as its first two meetings against the Panthers earlier this season (7-0 and 9-0 wins in Auburn). However, timely hitting and a big sixth inning were enough to propel the Tigers to an 8-4 win in Atlanta.
The Tigers (27-4, 3-3 SEC) committed a season-high three errors and allowed 10 hits against the Panthers (18-14) in a game that was tied at 4-4 entering the sixth inning. Auburn earned four runs in the frame to finally pull ahead for good and sweep the season series.
Jade Rhodes led off the sixth with her ninth home run of the season to give Auburn a 5-4 lead. Two walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases before a groundout by Tiffany Howard extended the lead to two runs. A double by Kasey Cooper with the bases loaded provided the final two runs of the game.
Auburn started the game with three straight hits, leading to an RBI double by Cooper to make it 1-0 Auburn. A pair of sac flies by Carlee Wallace and Rhodes extended the lead to 3-0 in the first.
Of Auburn's three errors in the game, two led to unearned runs as Georgia State climbed back to tie it in the second.
Emily Carosone hit a solo homer in the third inning — her seventh of the season — to give Auburn the lead back. She went 3 for 3 on the evening with two runs and an RBI. She also extended her school record for career hits by pitches with her 69th, placing her at No. 7 in that category in NCAA history.
Georgia State's Ivie Drake tied the game in the fourth with her eighth homer of the season. The solo shot would serve as the Panthers' final run of the game.
Marcy Harper got the start for the Tigers and pitched 3.0 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs. Freshman Makayla Martin relieved Harper and finished the game to earn the win and improve to 7-0 on the season.
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