February 14, 2004
AUBURN SOFTBALL SWEEPS LADY PALADINS 9-1, 3-1 AT TIGER INVITATIONAL
AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn leadoff hitter Ashley Griffin went 3-for4 with two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Tigers to a 9-1 victory in game one, while pitcher Kristin Keyes limited Furman to one run on one hit to lead the Tigers to a 3-1 win over Furman in game two Saturday at the Tiger Invitational at Auburn University.
Auburn got all the offense it would need in the first inning of game one. The Tigers scored five runs with the help of four hits and two Lady Paladin errors.
Furman answered with its only run of the game in the fourth. Jessica Matthews laced a two-out, RBI double down the left field line to score Joni Lockridge from second to tim the lead to 5-1.
Auburn picked up to runs in the bottom half of the inning and ended the game with two more in the bottom of the fifth.
Sara Dean went 2-for-3 for the Tigers, while Holly Currie improved to 3-0 on the mound by allowing just one run on two hits.
Erica Nesselroad took the loss in her first outing of the year for the Lady Paladins.
In game two, Auburn once again got off to a quick start. After Kristina McCain reached on a walk and Dean singled, Martha Phillips cleared the bases with a two-run double off of the left centerfield wall.
The Tigers (10-2) increased their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Lauren Walton reached base on a one out walk and stole second with two outs. McCain followed with a double down the left field line to score Walton.
Furman (0-4) mounted a rally in the top of the seventh. LaKerah Barr drew a leadoff walk to break up Keyes' perfect game. She then stole second base. After a JoDee Eichelberger strike out, Barr swiped third base. Lockridge followed with bouncer through the right side to score Barr and break up the no hit bid.
Freshman Megan Jaudon grounded out to shortstop allowing Lockridge to advance to second, but Keyes (4-2) ended the Lady Paladin rally by striking out Kristy Goodrich to end the game.
Rachel Henley suffered her first loss of the year for Furman allowing three runs on five hits in six innings of work.
Furman returns to action Sunday at 11:00 a.m. when it battles the loser of Saturday night's Evansville/Austin Peay game in the Tiger Invitational consolation game.