MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a nail-biting doubleheader on Friday evening, the No. 4 Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (27-5, GSC: 12-5) secured a 3-2 walk-off victory in game one over the No. 15 West Florida Argos (25-7, GSC: 12-5) before falling 8-7 in a tightly contested game two despite a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One: AUM 3, UWF 2
A scoreless three and a half innings brought the game to the bottom of the fourth inning where the Warhawks got on the board first. Gabbi Barnowsky led off with a single before Rebecca Komers followed with a bunt single while a throwing error on the Argos' pitcher allowed Barnowsky to advance to third base. Komers and Barnowsky used their intelligent base running to steal second base and home plate respectively. Komers was able to advance to third on the same play before later scoring on Karris Rhine's RBI base hit to put AUM ahead 2-0.
 
It wasn't until the seventh inning when West Florida got on the board behind two runs on one hit and an AUM error.
 
With the game tied heading into the bottom of the final frame, the Warhawks needed to make something happen in order to prevent extra innings. Rhine took the first hit of the half inning with a single through the left side but was later called out for leaving first base early on a stolen base attempt. Kennedy Sevcik drew a walk to get on base before Shelby Morgan pinch ran for her at first base. Jasmine Sneed then reached on a fielding error while Morgan moved to second base. With two outs on the board and a runner in scoring position, Chloe Baynes stepped up to the plate and knocked a hard hit single to the third baseman who was unable to throw Baynes out in time. While this was happeneing, Morgan advanced to third base and a thowing error on the Argos' shortstop allowed her to race home and give the Warhawks a 3-2 walk off victory over West Flordia in the series opener.
 
Game One Notables

• Reese Cauley improved to 17-1 after tossing a complete game and not allowing a single earned run. She finished with four strikeouts while holding opponents to seven hits and just one walk.
• Chloe Baynes totaled two hits on four at-bats while helping score the game winning run.
• Karris Rhine tallied two hits on three attempts while adding an RBI.
• Gabbi Barnowsky, Rebecca Komers, and Jasmine Sneed added a hit each to the Warhawks' tally.

 
Game Two: AUM 7, UWF 8
West Florida was the first to score, picking up one run in the top of the second inning. The orange and black responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third frame to take the lead. Arianna Machado and Baynes each grabbed a hit while Sneed's and Komers' sacrifice bunts brought both Machado and Baynes in to score.
 
The Warhawks extended its lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth frame when Sevcik's RBI double through the right side completed Olivia Watkins' trip around the plate.
 
A trio of runs for the visitors in the fifth inning brought the score to 4-3 with West Florida taking the lead.
 
A three-run homer from the Argos' Hannah Harper gave them an 8-4 advantage heading into the bottom of the final frame.
 
With the game on the line, AUM put up a very strong fight to get back in the game. Base hits from Baynes, Barnowsky, and Watkins, along with an RBI hit by pitch by Komers, and an error on UWF's second baseman brought the score to 8-7; however, three-straight outs would end the game with West Florida in front, 8-7.
 
Game Two Notables

• Sydni Free tossed the final inning of play while giving up just one hit and no walks.
• Olivia Watkins had a career high performance, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate while scoring twice herself, bringing in an RBI, and cranking a double.
• Chloe Baynes took a pair of hits on four at-bats while crossing home plate twice.
• Arianna Machado recorded a season high of two hits over four attempts while adding a run.
• Gabbi Barnowsky, Gracie Suggs, and Kennedy Sevcik each added a hit to the Warhawks total, with Sevcik's hit being an RBI double.

 


UP NEXT
The Warhawks return to the AUM Softball Complex tomorrow to play game three against West Florida. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.


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