Auburn deleted its competition in Friday's double header with victories over Merrimack and Brown as it run-ruled each team. Here is a recap of each game.
Game 1: Merrimack
It was very apparent early Auburn had control of the game. In the bottom of the first inning, Auburn put on a barrage of runs.
Icess Tresvik led the way with a two-run double as the Tigers got out to a 6-0 lead. Things did not get easier for the Warriors as they had extreme difficultly producing offense. Auburn continued to pile on the runs as it was up 9-0 heading into the third inning.
Merrimack still continued to struggle as it only recorded one hit in the entire game alongside two errors. Auburn's pitching recorded nine strikeouts as a whole for the game. Auburn dominated the whole game and was able to leave with a 12-0 in its first meeting against the Merrimack Warriors.
Bri Ellis led the Tigers with three RBIs as she recorded her fourth home run of the season while Tresvik and sophomore Rose Roach tallied two more. Ellis hit 20 home runs during her freshman campaign last season.
“We did a nice job not chasing and just waiting in the batter’s box,” said head coach Mickey Dean. “It comes down to putting a good swing on a good pitch.”
Game 2: Brown
In game two of the day, Auburn defeated Brown 9-0 in a windy Friday night game. Annabelle Widra pitched a no-hitter with only one walk to her name against Brown. It was the 30th no-hitter in program history.
“Everything was feeling good,” Widra said. “My mindset was just to attack batters and trust my pitches. We put in so much work during the week. Tonight, it was just time to let it ride.”
Dean was also impressed with his pitcher's perfect performance.
“For about 95% of the game plan, Annabelle stayed ahead of hitters,” Dean said. “She had great defense behind her. She stayed ahead and was able to hit different quadrants. She did a nice job.”
Auburn got out to another hot start, scoring two runs in the first inning. After a scoreless second inning, Auburn's offense picked things back up in the third inning.
Nelia Peralta hit a home run into deep left field and Carlie McCondiche followed that with a home run of her own — her first of the season. The home runs stretched Auburn's lead to 4-0.
The home run party did not end in the third inning, however. In the bottom of the fourth, Tresvik sent a high-arcing shot over the left field light pole to extend the lead to 6-0. Ellis sent a sky-rocketing shot into right field to push the lead to 9-0 for the Tigers' final runs of the game.
Widra closed out the game and recorded her no-hitter as Auburn picked up its second run-rule victory of the day.
Auburn will face off against the North Dakota State Bison at 3 p.m.CST at Jane B. Moore Field tomorrow. The Tigers play Merrimack again after the conclusion of their game against North Dakota State. Both games are available to watch on SEC Network-plus.
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TP is a senior from Montgomery, Alabama, majoring in journalism. He started with The Plainsman in fall 2022.
Twitter: @tp_hammock
