MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The No. 6 Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (36-7, GSC: 19-7) picked up two wins over the Delta State Statesmen (12-31, GSC: 6-20) on Friday afternoon.
 
Senior outfielder Chloe Baynes reached an elite milestone, surpassing 300 career hits. She became the program's all-time hits leader earlier this season, and now stands as the first Warhawk to ever eclipse 300 career hits. Baynes is also one of just six Gulf South Conference athletes to accomplish the feat.



COACH WILKES LANEY'S COMMENTS
"First of all, I am so proud of Chloe for her amazing accomplishment of 300 career hits. She is very deserving of this feat. You know, it's hard to believe that this weekend is our last home games for the regular season. With that, I told our team to enjoy the moment and have fun - and we did just that. We are off to a great start for the series, and I look forward to the competition tomorrow and celevrating our seniors."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One: AUM 4, DSU 0
Sitting at 299 career hits entering the day, Chloe Baynes led things off with a single to shortstop, marking a milestone achieved by only a select few. A passed ball moved Baynes to second, and Rebecca Komers followed with a base hit to put runners on the corners. Olivia Watkins reached on a fielder's choice, while Baynes was caught in a rundown and tagged out while returning to third. With two runners on, Reese Cauley stepped up and delivered a two-RBI double to left field to put AUM on the board early.

Over the first five innings, Cauley struck out seven batters while keeping Delta State scoreless.

The Warhawks added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Watkins recorded an RBI double to plate Gabbi Barnowsky, who had reached earlier on a Statesmen error. AUM led 3-0 after five innings.

AUM rounded out the scoring in the sixth inning when Jasmine Sneed delivered an RBI single, bringing Karris Rhine home and extending the lead to 4-0.

Cauley retired the side in the seventh to secure the 4-0 game one victory for the Warhawks.
 
Game One Notables

• Reese Cauley improved to 23-1 after tossing her 20th complete game of the season and her eighth shutout. Over 7.0 innings, she recorded eight strikeouts, issued no walks, and allowed just three hits. Offensively, the sophomore added a two-RBI double in the first inning, her second of the season.
• Jasmine Sneed recorded two hits in three at-bats while driving in a run.
• Olivia Watkins' fifth-inning double was her 11th of the season, the most on the team.
• Kennedy Sevcik's sixth-inning double marked her fifth of the year.
• Eight Warhawks recorded at least one hit as AUM out-hit the Statesmen 9-3.

 
 
Game Two: AUM 7, DSU 1
Carrying momentum from game one, AUM took an early lead in the opener. Barnowsky led off with a single to left field and stole second base. Watkins followed with a walk, and a passed ball advanced both runners. Sevcik drew a walk to load the bases, setting the stage for Ansley Watson. With two outs, Watson delivered a two-RBI single to center field, scoring Watkins and Barnowsky to give AUM a 2-0 lead.

Watson led off the third inning with another single. Gracie Mason entered as a pinch runner and quickly stole second. Rhine followed with a walk, and a passed ball moved Mason to third. Sneed then laid down a well-executed sacrifice bunt to score Mason and extend the lead to 3-0.

Delta State got on the board in the top of the fifth, scoring one run on one hit and an AUM error to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Warhawks responded dominantly in the bottom half with four runs on two hits and one Statesmen error. Sevcik opened the inning with a base hit before Shelby Morgan entered to pinch run. Watson and Rhine each drew walks, and a wild pitch allowed Morgan to score. Cauley followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Watson. Sneed then delivered a double to center field, scoring Rhine. After stealing third, Sneed later scored during Baynes' at-bat, pushing the lead to 7-1.

Delta State was held scoreless the rest of the way, as AUM secured the 7-1 game two victory.
 
Game Two Notables

• Chelisa Newsome improved to 7-4 after throwing 6.0 innings. She struck out four, allowed just two hits, and did not surrender an earned run.
• Alivia Messick pitched a scoreless final inning in relief, allowing no hits.
• Ansley Watson led the offense with two hits in three at-bats, scoring once while driving in two runs and drawing a walk.
• Jasmine Sneed's fifth-inning double was her second of the season.
• Five Warhawks recorded at least one hit as AUM out-hit Delta State 6-2.

UP NEXT
The Warhawks will host its final home game of the season on Saturday, April 18 at noon. Tomorrow's game will feature a special senior day ceremony that will honor four student-athletes who have given their all to the softball program over the last several years.
 
 
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