MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Auburn University at Montgomery softball team (10-2; GSC: 0-2) hosted its first home series of the season on Friday evening, opening Gulf South Conference (GSC) play against the West Alabama Tigers (11-3-1; GSC: 2-0). The Warhawks dropped both games of the doubleheader, falling 5–2 in game one before the Tigers secured a 4–0 victory in the nightcap.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One; AUM 2; UWA 5
West Alabama threatened in the opening frame with a leadoff bunt single from Haley Shannon, but the Warhawks worked out of the inning to keep the game scoreless after one. Auburn Montgomery also put a runner aboard in the bottom half, as center fielder Chloe Baynes drew a walk and Karris Rhine stole second, but AUM was also held scoreless.
The Tigers broke through in the top of the second with back-to-back solo home runs to take a 2–0 lead. Auburn Montgomery answered immediately in the bottom half as Rebecca Komers worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from the pitcher Reece Cauley. With two outs, Chloe Hollon delivered the big swing for the Warhawks, launching a two-run home run to left center to even the score at 2–2.
West Alabama regained the advantage in the third inning with a two-run home run to center field, pushing the Tigers back in front, 4–2. The Tigers added an insurance run in the fourth. After a pair of singles and a passed ball West Alabama drove in a run and extended the lead to 5–2.
AUM continued to battle throughout the final three innings. The Warhawks turned in a scoreless fifth and sixth in the circle. Offensively, Olivia Watkins reached on a bunt and later reached on an error, while Jasmine Sneed singled in the seventh to give the Warhawks life in their final at-bat. AUM placed two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh following a walk from Ansley Watson and a passed ball, but West Alabama recorded the final out to secure the 5–2 decision.
Notables
Chloe Hollon accounted for both of AUM's runs, going 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in the second inning to tie the game at 2–2.
Chloe Baynes recorded one of the Warhawks' three hits, added a walk, and stole a base in the contest.
Jasmine Sneed picked up a seventh-inning single.
The Warhawks worked five walks as a team and recorded two stolen bases.
AUM pitching held West Alabama scoreless in four of the seven innings, including shutting down the Tigers in the fifth, sixth, and seventh frames.
Reese Cauley made her seventh game start and struck out five batters in the circle.
Alivia Messick provided relief in the fifth inning and helped hold West Alabama scoreless across the fifth and sixth frames.
Game Two; AUM 0; UWA: 4
West Alabama struck early in the top of the first. After a leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt, UWA's Ella Watson delivered an RBI bunt single to give the Tigers a 1–0 advantage.
AUM looked to respond in the second inning. Olivia Watkins singled to right field and advanced to third following a sacrifice bunt from Rebecca Komers and a single by Kennedy Sevcik, but the Warhawks were unable to bring a run across.
The Tigers added to their lead in the fifth inning. Trinity Brooks scored on a bunt single and throwing error before the Tigers connected on a two-run home run to right field, extending the advantage to 4–0.
AUM continued to battle defensively down the stretch, holding West Alabama scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings. However, the Warhawks were unable to generate late offense, as the Tigers secured the 4–0 victory to complete the doubleheader sweep.
Notables
Chelisa Newsome threw a complete game for the Warhawks, allowing just four hits and striking out 10 batters in the outing.
AUM was held to three hits in the nightcap, coming from Chloe Baynes, Olivia Watkins, and Kennedy Sevcik.
The Warhawks recorded one walk and one stolen base in the contest.
Up Next
The Warhawks will play the final game of the series against GSC opponent West Alabama on Sunday, Feb. 22 with first pitch set for 2 pm.
#WeAreAUM
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
