MONTGOMERY, Ala – The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (4-0) finished its first day at the Columbus State Invitational by taking down the Florida Southern Mocs (1-1) 10-3 followed by a 10-0 five inning shutout over the host school, the Columbus State Cougars (2-2).
COACH WILKES LANEY'S COMMENTS
"Super proud of our team today. Our offense came alive. We had double digit hits, double digit runs, and everyone on the team contributed. Not only that, but Reese throwing a no hitter was big time. We did a lot of things right today."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game #1 | AUM 10, Florida Southern 3
Karris Rhine recorded the first hit of the day with an RBI single to left field that scored
Chloe Baynes, who drew a walk early in the inning. Rhine stole third base before
Kennedy Sevcik's hit brought Rhine across home plate to give AUM a 2-0 lead after one inning.
The Warhawks continued to push ahead in the second inning, scoring five more runs, led by hits from
Arianna Machado, Baynes,
Gabbi Barnowsky, Sevcik,
Olivia Watkins,
Ansley Watson, and a strong double from
Chloe Hollon. AUM's immaculate offense pushed them ahead 7-0.
Florida Southern was able to get on the board in the third inning behind a two-RBI double from Ella Torres.
Rhine led off the top of the fourth frame with a solo shot to right field to keep a six-run cushion for the Warhawks.
The opponents answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, however, RBI from Rhine and Sevcik in the top of the fifth gave AUM a 10-3 advantage.
Neither side added any runs in the final two innings, resulting in a 10-3 victory for AUM in their first contest of the day.
NOTABLES | GAME #1
- Sydni Free threw 5.1 innings of work while striking out a career high seven batters and allowing just one earned run.
- Kennedy Sevcik led AUM's offense with a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate. She also brought in four runs.
- Karris Rhine posted three hits on four at bats, along with three RBI, three runs, and a homer.
- Chloe Baynes posted two hits on four at bats, drew a walk, and crossed home plate three times.
- Rebecca Komers and Olivia Watkins each recorded two hits on four at bats.
Game #2 (5 Inn.) | AUM 10, CSU 0
Using their momentum from game one, the Warhawks opened the first inning with three consecutive hits. Baynes hit a single before stealing second base, and Barnowsky's RBI double to left centerfield put AUM on the board. Barnowsky stayed on second while Rhine's hit placed her on first. Not long after,
Meredith Kellum's well-placed sacrifice bunt advanced both runners. This set the stage for a three-run bomb from Watkins to give the Warhawks a 4-0 lead after the first inning.
A scoreless second inning brought the game to the top of the third where hits from Kellum, Komers,
Gracie Suggs, and
Jasmine Sneed combined for three more trips around the diamond.
With
Reese Cauley on the mound, AUM's defense stood strong, allowing for Rhine to extend the lead to eight runs after a solo shot over the left field wall, her second of the day.
The top of the fifth inning featured hits from Watkins, Komers, and Sneed, resulting in another pair of runs for the Warhawks.
Cauley held down the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning, completing the 10-0 run rule victory and securing her first no hitter of the season.
NOTABLES
- Reese Cauley's no hitter marks the first since Chelisa Newsome tossed a five inning no hitter against Trevecca Nazarene last season. Cauley finished with five punches, while giving up just two walks.
- Rebecca Komers led the offense with a perfect three hits on three at bats. She also crossed home plate twice.
- Karris Rhine posted two hits on three at bats, two runs, and an RBI.
- Olivia Watkins recorded two hits on two at bats, two runs, three RBI, and drew a walk.
- Jasmine Sneed totaled two hits on three at bats, along with a pair of RBI.
UP NEXT
The Warhawks will resume competition at the Columbus State Invitational tomorrow with one game against Tuskegee. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.
#WeAreAUM
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on
Facebook,
X, and
Instagram.
