Auburn University at Montgomery Athletics

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The four-seed No. 10 Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks softball team (43-12, GSC: 24-9) suffered a 6-1 setback to top-seeded No. 1 Saint Leo (46-3-1, SSC: 29-1) in the second round of the NCAA South Regional Tournament on Friday afternoon at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Behind Reese Cauley's command in the circle and a pair of double plays turned by the Warhawk defense, the contest remained scoreless through the opening four innings.
 
AUM broke through first in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on two hits and a Saint Leo miscue to take a 1-0 advantage. Ansley Watson sparked the inning with a leadoff single before Jasmine Sneed followed with a base hit down the right field line. Pinch runner Gracie Mason advanced to third on the play while Sneed moved into scoring position on the throw.
 
Following a pitching change by the Lions, a wild pitch moved Sneed to third, though Mason was tagged out at the plate during the sequence. With two outs, Gabbi Barnowsky reached on a Saint Leo fielding error, allowing Sneed to cross home and give the Warhawks the game's first run.
 
Saint Leo answered in the top of the sixth, plating six runs on four hits and an AUM error to reclaim the lead.
 
The Warhawks threatened late but were unable to rally as the Lions secured the 6-1 victory on their home field.
 
NOTABLES

• Chloe Baynes became the Gulf South Conference's all-time hits leader after recording two hits in the contest.
• Reese Cauley tossed 5.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs on six hits.
• Sydni Free closed the game with 1.1 scoreless innings while surrendering no hits.
• Jasmine Sneed finished 2-for-3 at the plate and scored AUM's lone run.

 


UP NEXT
The Warhawks face a quick turnaround as they take on the winner of five-seed Tampa and eight-seed Spring Hill later Friday in an elimination game. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.
 

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