Auburn softball utilized a walk-off hit by Nelia Peralta and a dominant performance by pitcher SJ Geurin to shut out NC State 8-0 to start the series on Friday at Jane B. Moore Field.
“When you head into a ceremonial weekend like this, you always worry where everyone’s heads and hearts are,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “I was glad to see our players lock in and get after it from the start. SJ (Geurin) set the tone right away by working ahead and attacking the zone. C-Mac (KK McCrary) was able to get things going right away to break the ice, and we kept piling on.”
With her performance, Geurin has claimed back-to-back starts with shutout wins. She spread out two hits, two walks, and one hit batter throughout the game while striking out two. Geurin has advanced to 20-9 on the mound and is only the 12th Auburn pitcher to secure 20 or more wins in a single season.
A two-run surge in the first inning from McCrary set the tone for the Tigers, and they continued to stack up runs in five of the six innings. Auburn attained 10 hits in the run-rule victory. McCrary went 3-for-3 with three RBI, and Peralta produced a 3-for-4 day with the walk-off single.
After the McCrary homer in the first, Auburn increased its lead in the third. Rose Roach began the frame with a walk before reaching home on a ground ball to second. McCrary made it a 4-0 game with an RBI single through the right side of the field.
Adding to the excitement of senior weekend, Anna Wohlers led off the fourth frame with a solo home run to center field. In the fifth, the Tigers loaded the bases with one out, following consecutive singles from Peralta, Annalea Adams, and McCrary. The base hit by Adams extended her hit streak to 11 consecutive games.
A sac fly by Icess Tresvik drove in another run, and an error on a throw down to second after a stolen base attempt allowed another run to score, making it a 7-0 competition.
Pinch hitter Thalia Martin set the stage for the Tigers’ walk-off victory in the sixth with a single through the left side, then moved into scoring position with a stolen base. With the help of a Roach single, Martin took third before scoring on Peralta’s walk-off hit to left field.
Auburn looks to clinch the series win on Saturday. First pitch on the SEC Network+ is set for 2 p.m. CT. With the weather in the area, follow Auburn softball on its social media channels for any schedule adjustments. Due to weather concerns, Auburn’s Senior Day ceremonies will be moved to Sunday.
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Samantha is a freshman majoring in public relations. She started with The Plainsman in the spring of 2025.
You can follow her on X (Twitter) at @ssutton2622
