MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn University at Montgomery softball (28-5; GSC: 13-5) secured a thrilling 6–5 victory over No. 15 West Florida (25-8; GSC: 12-6) in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon at the AUM Softball Complex, clinching the series win over the Argonauts. The Warhawks walked it off in the bottom of the 10th, as Gracie Suggs delivered a clutch RBI single to score Rebecca Komers and seal the extra-inning win.
COACH WILKES LANEY'S COMMENTS
"Looking back over the weekend as a whole, we could have played better. We will use those moments as teaching moments and move on. Today, our team showed grit. Playing a 10 inning game gives you opportunities to not only grow physically, but mentally. I'm thankful for those opportunities and so proud of our team for winning the series this weekend."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first three innings were scoreless by both the Argonauts and the Warhawks, as starting pitchers Haley Guffey and Reese Cauley settled in early.
The Argonauts broke through in the third, as catcher Bella Holliday worked a leadoff walk before Meg Fountain reached on a bunt single that turned into two runs following a throwing error. Later in the inning, UWF delivered a double that followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.
AUM answered immediately with a big inning of its own in the bottom half. Jasmine Sneed sparked the offense with a solo home run, cutting the lead to 3-1. At the top of the lineup, Chloe Baynes and Gabbi Barnowsky reached with back-to-back singles. Komers drove in a run with a single to center, and Reese Cauley followed with an RBI bunt single to tie the game at 3-3.
Moments later, Komers stole home to cap a four-run inning and give AUM a 4-3 lead.
The Argonauts responded in the fifth, taking advantage of an error as left fielder, Angelia Discenza came around to score on a sacrifice fly, evening the game at 4-4. After both teams traded scoreless frames, the Warhawks regained the lead in the sixth.
Olivia Watkins and Kennedy Sevcik drew walks before Sneed added another free pass to load the bases. Chloe Baynes drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in Watkins and put AUM back on top, 5-4.
West Florida answered once again in the seventh, as Nicole Mergen doubled and later scored when Holliday reached on an error, tying the game at 5-5. The Argonauts continued to threaten, but AUM's defense held strong, turning a double play to limit further damage.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Warhawks were unable to plate any runs, and headed into extra innings.
Starting in the ninth inning, the game moved to an international tiebreaker format, with UWF placing a runner on second base to start the inning.
In the 10th, AUM delivered one of its biggest defensive plays of the afternoon, cutting down pitch runner Alex Whitfield at the plate on a fielder's choice off the bat of Meg Fountain to keep the game tied.
In the bottom half, Komers went to second for the Warhawks, and Chloe Hollin laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Rebecca Komers to third. After walks to Olivia Watkins and Karris Rhine loaded the bases, Gracie Suggs delivered the game-winning moment, singling through the infield to score Komers and secure the 6-5 walk-off victory.
Notables
Gracie Suggs delivered the game-winning hit with a walk-off single in the tenth inning, scoring Rebecca Komers and securing the series win over No. 15 West Florida.
Rebecca Komers had two hits and scored a run.
Jasmine Sneed delivered her fifth homerun of the season.
Chloe Baynes added two hits and scored a run.
The AUM pitching staff combined for 10 innings with only three earned runs on eight hits.
The Warhawks totaled eight hits, seven walks, and three stolen bases.
Reese Cauley pitched 6.0 innings in relief, allowing just one earned run while striking out three.
Sydni Free got the win for the Warhawks, improving to 3-0 on the season.
Up Next
The Warhawks will play on the road against Valdosta State in Valdosta, Georgia with the first pitch of the series set for Friday, April 3 at 5 pm.
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