MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Auburn Montgomery softball team earned a pair of victories over Gulf South Conference opponent Shorter University on Friday afternoon, shutting out the Hawks in the twin bill by taking game one 2-0 before notching a 5-0 victory in game two.
 
NOTES
• AUM improves to 21-12 overall with a 12-11 mark in the GSC.
• Shorter falls to 15-18 and 10-12 in league play with the two setbacks.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
• Pitcher Chanel Newcomer pitched a three-hit shutout in game one before picking up a four-out save in game two, retiring all four batters she faced in relief.
• Senior Kalee Sparks went 5-for-7 at the plate for AUM, driving in three runs and scoring another two with a double and a stolen base.
• Freshman Michaelyn Foster matched a career-high in strikeouts with seven against the Hawks in game two.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME ONE
• AUM broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the first when freshman infielder Gracie Harris picked up her sixth RBI of the week by driving in Sparks from second with a single to right field. After one the Warhawks led 1-0.
• The two teams would trade scoreless innings back and forth until AUM was able to load the bases in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs on the board pinch hitter Gracie Poe hit an infield single off the handle of her bat that landed between the Hawks' pitcher and catcher that allowed Harris to score from third, as neither defensive player was able to make a play on the ball.
• Shorter was able to manage a hit in the top of the seventh but Newcomer was able to hold the Hawks to just one base runner as AUM earned its 20^th victory of the season.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE – GAME ONE
• AUM scored two runs on six hits with no errors.
• Shorter was held scoreless on three hits while committing one error.
• Newcomer improved to 11-5 on the season with the complete game shutout.
• Payton Lippert fell to 8-7 after allowing two runs on six hits in six innings of work.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME TWO
• Once again AUM struck first on the scoreboard, this time plating three runs in the bottom of the third. After a pair of Shorter errors allowed AUM to load the bases, Sparks hit a single up the middle that plated Foster from third for the game's first run. Another error by the Hawks allowed Jaycie Walker to score from third followed by a bases loaded walk by Amy Persinger gave the Warhawks a 3-0 advantage.
• Shorter would threaten in the top of the sixth, loading the bases on three straight singles with two outs. Newcomer would enter and force a pop up to first to end the threat.
• In the bottom of the sixth with two on and two out Sparks launched a double to right field that allowed two runners to score to give the Warhawks a pair of insurance runs.
• Newcomer would retire the side in the top of the seventh to secure the AUM victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE – GAME TWO
• AUM scored five runs on nine hits with one error on the board.
• Shorter was held scoreless on five hits while committing four errors in the game.
• Foster tossed 5.2 shutout innings, allowing five hits and two walks while tying her career-best in strikeouts. Newcomer earned her third save of the season after entering the game in the top of the sixth.
• Hannah Draper fell to 2-9 on the year after allowing five runs (two earned) on nine hits.
 
UP NEXT
The Warhawks will close out the series with Shorter tomorrow at the AUM Softball Complex. First pitch is set for noon but due to inclement weather expected in the Montgomery area the game time could change.
 
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