Troy Softball Stuns Auburn 7-1
By: Josh Rultenberg
Updated: March 22, 2012
From Troy Media Relations:
TROY, Ala. - The Troy softball team used a complete effort and took care of No.21 Auburn on Wednesday night, 7-1, at the Troy Softball Complex.
The Trojans (19-7) pounded out 13 hits off of a three-pitcher Auburn staff that entered with a 1.12 ERA as they put up seven runs on the nationally ranked Tigers (23-7), the most Auburn has surrendered this season.
"We talk all the time about putting together the complete performance," said head coach Melanie Davis. "We knew that beating a top 25 team would take a complete effort and I'm very proud of the girls for doing that."
Ashley Rainey (9-3) threw her seventh complete game of the season as she shut down the Auburn offense, allowing just four hits and run over the seven-inning effort. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native got great support from a Trojan defense that committed no errors for the sixth time this season.
Nikki Hollett led the Trojans with three RBI while going 2-for-3 at the plate. Michelle Hewett, Rainey and Sarah Harris all had two hits as well.
The Trojans did all the damage they would need in the second inning as they posted five runs thanks to four hits and a couple of Auburn errors.
Hewett got things started with a leadoff triple and scored on Sarah Shields' RBI single. An fielding error allowed Shields to reach second and a sacrifice bunt sent pinch runner Madison Rich to third where she was driven in by Rainey to give Troy the 2-0 lead.
After another Auburn error, Kelly Luquette delivered an RBI single to score Bailey Blake and make it 3-0. Nikki Hollett then laced a two-RBI double to close the inning with Troy up 5-0.
The Trojans tacked on two more in the fourth with RBIs from Luquette and Hollett to make the score 7-0. Auburn added a run in the sixth, but not before the Trojans had iced their first victory over the Tigers since 2008.
Auburn used all three of its senior pitchers who entered with a 1.12 team ERA as starter Jenee Loree (8-3) was tagged with the loss after going just 1.1 innings but giving up four runs, three earned with one walk.
Angel Bunner relieved Loree in the second and lasted just 2.2 innings herself after surrendering three runs, all earned. Lauren Schmalz pitched the final two innings for Auburn.
The Trojans return to the field this weekend when they host No.8 Louisiana-Lafayette in a three-game set at the Troy Softball Complex. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1:00 p.m. while Sunday's single game also begins at 1:00 p.m.
