MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (8-0) added another pair of wins to their record on Friday afternoon, taking down the Florida Tech Panthers (5-2-1) 7-2 and the Embry-Riddle Eagles (3-4) 1-0 at the Panther Invitational on Friday afternoon.
 
COACH WILKES LANEY'S COMMENTS
"We faced some good competition today and were able to come out on top. Super grateful when we can get more notches in the win column. We weren't perfect, but we got the job done. Proud of our team today."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game #1 | AUM 7, Florida Tech 2
Extending their first inning scoring streak to seven games, the Warhawks posted four runs in the top of the first frame. As the leadoff batter, Chloe Baynes took the first hit of the day before stealing second base and then scoring on a Gabbi Barnowsky RBI single. Barnowski followed, stealing second base before scoring on Karris Rhine's RBI single.
 
Olivia Watkins laid down a solid sacrifice bunt to advance Rhine to second base. Not long after, a Panther error set runners on the corners. Rebecca Komers stole second base and another error on the opponents scored Rhine. After a sacrifice bunt from Kennedy Sevcik, Reese Cauley, who was in the circle defensively, singled to right field, allowing Komers to finish her trip around the diamond and give AUM an early 4-0 lead.
 
A scoreless second inning brought us to the top of the third frame where AUM continued to build on their lead. Komers singled down the left field line before Sevcik drew a walk to put two runners on base. As the next batter, Cauley stepped up to the plate and launched a three-run bomb over the right center field wall, propelling the Warhawks' lead to 7-0.
 
With Cauley in the circle, AUM's defense held the Panthers to just two runs, one in the third and one in the fourth. Neither team scored in the final three frames, improving the Warhawks to 7-0 with a 7-2 win over Florida Tech.
 
Game #1 Notables

• Reese Cauley threw a complete game, tossing 7.0 innings with eight strikeouts, while allowing six hits, two runs, and a pair of walks.
• Offensively, Cauley went 2-for-4 at the plate while notching four RBI, one run, and her first homerun of the season.
• Chloe Baynes finished game one with three hits over four at-bats, she recorded one run and a double in the fourth inning.
• Gabbi Barnowsky totaled two hits on three at-bats, one RBI and a run.
• Karris Rhine and Rebecca Komers each added a hit to AUM's total.
• The Warhawks stole a season high 10 bases as a team, three apiece from Baynes and Barnowski and two each from Rhine and Komers.

 
Game #2 | AUM 1, Embry-Riddle 0
Thanks to Rhine's first frame solo shot, the Warhawks kept their first inning scoring streak alive and started off the game with a 1-0 lead.
 
Although the Warhawks totaled 11 hits, including doubles from Watkins and Komers, Rhine's homer would end up being the only run scored between both teams. 
 
Chelisa Newsome stood her ground in the circle, recording a complete game with nine punches. She held opposing batters to just two hits while completing the shutout and earning the Warhawks a 1-0 win.
 
Game #2 Notables

• Chelisa Newsome tossed a complete game while striking out a season high nine batters, tying her career high, and allowing just two hits and no runs.
• Ansley Watson led AUM with three hits on three at-bats.
• Karris Rhine went 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo shot that would end up being the winning run.
• Olivia Watkins and Rebecca Komers each tallied two hits on four at-bats along with a double each.
• Chloe Baynes and Gabbi Barnowsky each added a hit.

UP NEXT
The Warhawks are back in action tomorrow, Saturday, February 14 for a doubleheader against Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla with first pitches set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
 
 
#WeAreAUM 
 
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.