Auburn University at Montgomery Athletics

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The four seed No. 10 Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (43-11, GSC: 24-9) stayed red-hot at the plate in an 11-1 five-inning victory over the five seed Tampa Spartans (34-13, SSC: 21-9) on Thursday afternoon at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA South Regional.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Neither side found the scoreboard through the opening two innings as Reese Cauley struck out four batters early, including a one-two-three first frame.
 
The Warhawks broke the game open in the bottom of the third inning, erupting for six runs on six hits. Jasmine Sneed started the rally with a leadoff single before Chloe Baynes dropped down a perfect bunt single to put two runners aboard. After Gabbi Barnowsky advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, Rebecca Komers delivered an RBI bunt single to score Sneed.
 
Olivia Watkins followed with an RBI single to center field that plated Baynes before Karris Rhine added another run-scoring hit to bring home Komers. With two runners still on base, Kennedy Sevcik launched a towering three-run homer over the center field wall to cap the inning and give AUM a commanding 6-0 advantage.
 
Following a scoreless fourth inning, Tampa broke through with its lone run in the top of the fifth on a pair of hits.
 
AUM answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame. Watkins drew a walk before Rhine lined a single to center field and Sevick worked a walk to load the bases. Ansley Watson pushed another run across with an RBI single to right field, setting the stage for Sneed, who crushed a walk-off grand slam to left field to seal the 11-1 run-rule victory.
 
NOTABLES

• Chloe Baynes finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and tied the Gulf South Conference all-time career hits record with her 318th career hit.
• Reese Cauley improved to 28-3 on the season after tossing her 24th complete game of the year. The sophomore allowed just one run on three hits while striking out six over 5.0 innings.
• Kennedy Sevcik went 2-for-2 with a walk, three RBI, and her fourth home run of the season.
• Karris Rhine recorded two hits, scored twice, and drove in a run.
• Jasmine Sneed posted two hits, scored two runs, and ended the game with a walk-off grand slam. She is now tied for the team lead with seven home runs this season.
• The Warhawks out-hit the Spartans 12-3.

 
 
 
UP NEXT
The Warhawks advance to face top-seeded Saint Leo on Friday, May 15 at 11:00 AM CT at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium.


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