MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released its Week 11 edition of the NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll on Tuesday, with the Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team coming in a seventh. AUM continues to rank among the nation's elite programs, marking its 11th consecutive week inside the top 10.
Three Games, Total Control
The Warhawks recorded its third series sweep against Gulf South Conference opponents last week, taking down the Delta State Statesmen twice on Friday, and once on Saturday while allowing just two runs and putting up 14. AUM opened the series with a 4-0 win, led by sophomore pitcher Reese Cauley, who tossed her eighth complete game shutout of the season. Over 7.0 innings, Cauley totaled eight punches without giving up a single free pass. She held opponents to just three hits while keeping them off the board the entire game. Offensively, Cauley, Kennedy Sevcik, and Olivia Watkins each hit a double while Jasmine Sneed went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Game two featured a 7-1 victory with Chelisa Newsome throwing 6.0 innings of work. Newsome finished the day with four strikeouts while allowing just two hits and no earned runs. Ansley Watson led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate while adding one run, two RBI, and a walk.
Saturday's finale honored the team's four seniors in a special senior day ceremony where veteran pitcher Sydni Free had herself a day. She threw a complete 7.0 inning game without allowing a single earned run. She struck out two with just two walks while holding the Statesmen to a mere four hits. Offensively, Baynes led the charge scoring three times with three stolen bases on a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the dish.
Lights Out in the Circle
AUM's pitching staff powered the series sweep of Delta State, delivering a flawless 0.00 ERA while allowing just two unearned runs across three games. Cauley and Free each threw complete games, Newsome added 6.0 strong innings, and Alivia Messick contributed a clean inning in relief. As a unit, the Warhawks went 3-0 over 21.0 innings, striking out 14 and issuing only six walks. The Statesmen managed just two runs on nine hits and were held to a .129 batting average.
Hot Bats
On the offensive side, the Warhawks continued to get runners on base and put them in a position to make their way around the diamond. AUM posted 14 runs on 22 hits with a .301 team batting average. Additionally, the team went a perfect 12-for-12 on stolen base attempts, proving the coaching staff's trust and confidence in their runners.
Powering the offense for the orange and black was none other than senior outfielder Chloe Baynes. After becoming the first Warhawk and one of only six GSC players to reach 300 career hits with her first at-bat of the series, Baynes went on to hit .455, recording five hits over 11 at-bats. She finished the week with a .571 on base percentage and a perfect 4-for-4 rate on stolen bases. Sophomore infielder Jasmine Sneed had a great week for the Warhawks, tallying a .500 batting average with three hits, one run, three RBI, and a .667 slugging percentage. She added a double in game two and went 2-for-2 on stolen base attempts. Rebecca Komers, Watson, and Watkins each added multiple hits to help push the Warhawks to another perfect week.
Up Next
The Warhawks will head to Montevallo, Alabama for a series against the Falcons beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, April 24. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
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