An explosive first inning got the No. 12 Auburn Tigers off to a fast start against UNC-Wilmington. Auburn scored 6 runs in the first, led by Justus Perry’s bases clearing 3-RBI double.
Perry is becoming one of the Tiger's most consistent hitter's thus far. Head coach Mickey Dean echoed that statement.
"She's comfortable," Dean said. "She's seeing it well, she's being disciplined and aggressive. That's what you look for in great hitters and right now she's there."
The Tigers scored three more in the third inning led by KK Crocker’s 2-RBI single. Auburn scored 9 runs on 9 hits. Auburn improved to 18-2 on the season by defeating the Seahawks 9-0 in five innings.
The Tigers were strong on the mound again. Makayla Martin, Chardonnay Harris and Kara Bilodeau combined to throw Auburn’s 13th shutout of the season. The trio gave up three hits in five innings of work.
Makayla Martin started on the mound for Auburn and pitched three innings, giving up two hits and no earned runs. Martin improved to 8-1 on the season.
Chardonnay Harris relieved Martin in the fourth had two strikeouts and gave up no hits and one inning of relief. Kara Bilodeau closed the game in the fifth to give the Tigers the shutout against the Seahawks.
"I felt good," said Martin. "Chardonnay and Kara both said their stuff was working really well too."
Auburn’s patience at the plate paid off against Western Carolina in the nightcap. Auburn drew seven walks and hit five home runs as it beat the Catamounts 9-0 in five innings.
"It was nice to sit back and watch them play," Dean said. "They had great energy yesterday in practice and they brought it here today.”
The Tigers improved to 19-2 on the season and added to their shutout total, giving them 14 for the year.
“It’s awesome," Martin said. "I mean everything that we’ve been working for before the season is paying off and we just have to continue grinding through every game and every hitter.”
A four-run second inning powered Auburn against Western Carolina. Kendall Veach hit a two-run home run, Taylon Snow had an RBI triple and Justus Perry had an RBI single.
Courtney Shea hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to give the Tigers a 6-0 lead. Casey McCrackin added a solo home run to give Auburn a 7-0 lead in the fourth.
Even Makayla Martin joined in on the hitting. Martin came within a few inches of hitting a home run as the ball bounced off the very top of the wall giving her a triple.
“I thought I popped it up," Martin said. "They thought I hit over the fence. Then I saw it hit the wall and I was like oh my gosh I’ve got to run to second. It was just an awesome feeling."
Tannon Snow hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to run-rule the Catamounts 9-0 in five innings.
Kaylee Carlson started for the Tigers and pitched four strong innings. Carlson gave up three hits with two strikeouts and improved to 9-0 on the season. Ashlee Swindle pitched the final inning for the Tigers and gave up no hits in relief.
No. 12 Auburn returns to Jane B. Moore Field Saturday with another doubleheader in the Wilson/DeMarini Classic starting at 3 p.m. CT Saturday against Western Carolina. The Tigers will play Western Illinois at 5:30 p.m. CT.
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