MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (5-0) defeated the Tuskegee Golden Tigers (1-3) 10-4 on Saturday morning at the Columbus State Invitational from Columbus, Georgia.
 
COACH WILKES LANEY'S COMMENTS
"Tuskegee did a good job at putting pressure on our defense and making us make plays under pressure. Our defense and pitchers stepped up and made plays, and our offense came to play again today. Proud of our team for taking care of business today."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Much like both of yesterday's contests, AUM started out strong as the visiting team. The Warhawks scored two runs behind a single from Gabbi Barnowsky, Karris Rhine's walk, and a big time two RBI double from Olivia Watkins. Barnowsky and Rhine's intelligent base running allowed them to each be in scoring position before Watkins' at bat. The Golden Tigers answered in the bottom of the frame with just one runn on one hit.
 
After a scoreless second inning, AUM added another run to their tally with another RBI double from Watkins. She scored Barnowsky who had reached on a Tuskegee error two at bats prior.
 
The fourth inning started with Arianna Machado drawing a walk and Jasmine Sneed's sacrifice bunt to advance Machado to second. As the next batter, Chloe Baynes singled to left field and advance on the throw to place two Warhawks in scoring position. An error on the Golden Tigers' catcher allowed Barnowsky to reach second while Baynes and Machado cross home plate. Rhine was next in the batting order and launched a single through the left side, before a pair off errors from the opponents brought her all the way around the diamond, giving AUM a 7-1 lead.
 
Tuskegee responded in the bottom of the inning highlighted by a leadoff homer from Ava Mearideth and an RBI double from Shawna McNair, cutting AUM's advantage to three runs at 7-4.
 
With Alivia Messick pitching for the Warhawks, Tuskegee was unable to add any more runs to their total. While AUM's defense held strong, its offense added a pair of runs in the fifth and Meredith Kellum's sixth inning RBI double rounded out the scoring.
 
Ultimately, the Warhawks would improve to 5-0 with a 10-4 victory over the Golden Tigers.
 
NOTABLES

• Chelisa Newsome earned the win after tossing 3.0 innings of work while punching out four batters and allowing just two earned runs.
• Alivia Messick pitched the final 4.0 innings, giving up zero earned runs and striking out one.
• Olivia Watkins led AUM's offense with three hits on four at bats, two of which were doubles, while adding three RBI and a run.
• Rebecca Komers also posted three hits on four at bats, while adding a pair of stolen bases.
• Gabbi Barnowsky showed off her impressive baserunning skills with three stolen bases and three runs.

 
UP NEXT
The Warhawks close out competition in the Columbus State Invitational with one game tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 8 against Wingate at 10:30 a.m.
 


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