Auburn Splits Saturday Doubleheader at Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic
In Cathedral City, California, Auburn softball showcased resilience on the third day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Despite a narrow loss to No. 21 Washington, the Tigers bounced back with a victory over Cal State Fullerton, splitting their Saturday matchups at the Big League Dreams Complex.
Co-head coach Chris Malveux emphasized the importance of the day's split. "Securing the win in the second game was crucial," Malveux noted.
"Both opponents are formidable. Fullerton's performance this weekend suggests they could break into the top 25 soon.
It was a significant RPI win. Our pitchers kept us in both games.
Ella Harrison was outstanding, but our approach at the plate needs improvement. We’ll need to adjust moving forward."
Washington 5, Auburn 2
Auburn's offense came alive late against Washington, bringing the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning, but ultimately fell short in a 5-2 defeat. The Tigers, now 12-4, found themselves in a tight pitching duel with Cal State Fullerton, where Harrison's stellar performance led to a 2-1 victory.
Washington applied early pressure, reaching scoring position in each of the first five innings. Auburn's starter SJ Geurin, supported by a strong defensive effort, managed to stifle the Huskies' threats initially. A diving catch by McKaela Walker in right field highlighted the defensive prowess.
However, Washington broke through in the second inning with an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly, followed by a three-run homer from Giselle Alvarez in the fifth, extending their lead to 5-0.
Auburn's bats woke up in the sixth with Destiny Rodriguez breaking the no-hit bid with a single. Annalea Adams followed with another hit, but the Tigers couldn’t capitalize further until the seventh.
Freshman Ava Ratliff and junior Alyssa Hastings hit back-to-back singles, setting the stage for Ma’Nia Womack’s RBI single. A Washington error allowed another run, but the rally ended with a line drive to left.
Geurin took the loss, dropping to 2-2, despite striking out three. Relievers Blayne Godfrey and Abby Herndon combined for 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits.
Auburn 2, Cal State Fullerton 1
In a classic pitchers’ duel, Auburn's Ella Harrison and Fullerton’s Trisha McCleskey kept hitters at bay through the early innings. Auburn broke through in the fourth when Kylie Shaw's leadoff single and subsequent steal set up Rodriguez’s RBI single.
The Tigers loaded the bases in the fifth but couldn’t extend their lead. Rodriguez provided an insurance run in the sixth with a solo homer, finishing 2-for-3 with both RBIs.
Harrison, relying on her defense, navigated through three walks and two singles over six innings to maintain the lead. Fullerton’s Ava Arce hit a solo home run in the seventh, but Harrison responded with three consecutive outs, including two strikeouts, to seal her seventh win of the season.
Game Notes
Kylie Shaw extended her on-base streak to 16 games, while Destiny Rodriguez continued her hitting streak, adding her fifth homer of the season. Hastings’ hit streak reached eight games. Harrison’s complete-game win marked her fourth of the season.
Up Next
Auburn wraps up the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Sunday against California at 11 a.m. CT. Fans can stream the game on FloSoftball or listen to JJ Jackson’s call on WEGL 91.1 FM.
Back at Home
The Tigers return to Jane B. Moore Field for the Jane B.
Moore Memorial from Feb. 26 to March 1, facing Troy, No. 17 Virginia Tech, and USC Upstate.
Highlights include a celebration for Aubie’s birthday and the "Softballs from the Sky" event.