VALDOSTA, Ga. – Following a weather delay of more than an hour, the No. 5 Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (29-5, GSC: 14-5) took game one of its series against the Valdosta State Blazers (15-8, GSC: 9-10), 8-3, on Friday evening in Valdosta, Georgia.
 
COACH WILKES LANEY'S COMMENTS
"Playing at Valdosta is a tough place to play. You have to be mentally tough. I'm glad we were able to take game one of the series. Our offense put pressure on their defense which worked in our favor for scoring runs. I look forward to seeing our team compete tomorrow."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warhawks struck first in the top of the opening frame, as Chloe Baynes reached on a Blazers error to lead things off. Rebecca Komers quickly capitalized, ripping a double to center field to place two runners in scoring position. Reese Cauley followed with a sacrifice fly, giving the orange and black the early 1-0 advantage.

Valdosta State answered in the bottom half of the inning, as Charlotte Phillips evened the score with a solo home run on her first at-bat.

The Blazers carried that momentum into the next few innings, taking a 3-1 lead behind a solo shot from Cailyn Cooke in the second and an RBI from Rachel Lee in the fourth.

AUM responded in a big way in the fifth, erupting for five runs on four hits while capitalizing on a pair of Valdosta State errors. Baynes opened the inning with a base hit and promptly stole second before Gabbi Barnowsky reached on an error, allowing both runners to move into scoring position. Komers delivered again, lacing her second double of the day to left field to drive in both runners. Cauley followed with an RBI single to score Komers and give the Warhawks a 4-3 lead.

The inning continued to unravel for the Blazers, as Olivia Watkins reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A defensive miscue allowed Gracie Suggs to reach, bringing Watkins home, before Karris Rhine singled to move Suggs to third. Kennedy Sevcik capped the rally with a sacrifice fly, extending the Warhawks' lead to 6-3 after five innings.

The Warhawks added two more insurance runs in the sixth. Baynes drew a leadoff walk and swiped second before Barnowsky reached on a bunt attempt that resulted in another Blazers error. Back-to-back wild pitches allowed both runners to come around and score, pushing the advantage to 8-3.

Baynes added a triple in the seventh but was left stranded to end the frame.

Valdosta State put together a pair of hits in the final inning, but AUM held firm to secure an 8-3 victory in the series opener.

Notables

• Reese Cauley improved to 17-1 on the season, tossing her 15th complete game of the year. Over 7.0 innings in the circle, she allowed three runs on six hits while striking out three and walking two.
• At the plate, Cauley went a perfect 3-for-3, driving in two runs and adding a sacrifice fly.
• Chloe Baynes recorded two hits on four at-bats while drawing a walk, scoring three runs, and blasting her fourth triple of the season in the seventh inning.
• Rebecca Komers tallied a run and an RBI while recording two doubles. She now leads the Warhawks with nine doubles on the season.
• Olivia Watkins, Gracie Suggs, and Karris Rhine each added a hit for the orange and black.
• AUM finished with 10 hits while limiting Valdosta State to six.

 


Up Next
The Warhawks will close out its series in Valdosta with a doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, April 3 beginning at 11 a.m.


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