With two shutouts in the doubleheader and with one being a no-hitter, Auburn’s pitching continues to lead the way.
Auburn softball swept the doubleheader on Saturday against the IUPUI Jaguars, winning both games 5-0 at Jane B. Moore Field.
Game 1
For the second time this season, freshman pitcher Maddie Penta tossed a no-hitter.
“Every time I go out there, I strive for perfect games and no-hitters,” Penta said. “I expect that from myself, and coach Dean expects that out of me.”
Penta started the game with 16 consecutive strikeouts and ended the game with 17. She had a perfect game going into the seventh inning but walked two batters to end the perfect game opportunity. She threw the 27th no-hitter in school history just two weeks after she threw the 26th.
“It was fun to watch,” Dean said. “With Maddie, you just sit there, you just call it, and you let her go to work, and she did.”
The Tigers scored two runs in the fourth inning and three runs in the fifth, giving Penta all the offensive support she needed.
Aspyn Godwin led the offensive charge with two RBI, including a home run, which was the first run of the game.
Auburn was able to capitalize on IUPUI’s mistakes, as two of the runs in the fifth came off errors by IUPUI.
Game 2
The Tigers were led by their pitching as they shut out IUPUI in the second game of their doubleheader.
This time it was a combined effort from Shelby Lowe, Samantha Yarbrough and KK Dismukes. They each pitched three, three, and one inning, respectively.
Makayla Packer's grand slam in the third inning gave Auburn its first runs of the game. The Tigers scored all five of their runs in the third.
“I just took a hack at [the pitch] and there it went,” Packer said. “I felt [the home run] off the bat.”
In the fourth inning, Yarbrough loaded the bases after three consecutive walks but recovered nicely to keep IUPUI scoreless.
“I have a great deal of confidence [in Lowe],” Dean said. “I know what Sam’s capable of, and for Sam, it’s a matter of getting in a rhythm and getting comfortable.”
Auburn improved to 10-1 on the season and will be back in action on Thursday at Jane B. Moore Field against Troy in the first game of the Auburn Invitational. The first pitch is set for 5 p.m. CST with the game airing on SEC Network-plus.
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Henry is a sophomore from Dallas, Texas. This is his second year with The Auburn Plainsman.
Twitter: @Henry_Patton23
