3/2/23 Baseball Articles

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Takeaways from Auburn baseball's victory over Florida A&M

Lindsay Crosby

3–4 minutes

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What can we take away from Auburn's offensive explosion against an overmatched Florida A&M squad?

Auburn's offense put up eleven runs in the first inning on the way to a 18-8 victory over Alabama A&M on Wednesday night in Plainsman Park. Here's what you need to know about the victory. 

Injury concerns

Starting left fielder Bobby Pierce missed this game for precautionary reasons, being replaced by veteran Josh Hall in the field and at leadoff. After two missed seasons due to knee injuries, he was lifted from Sunday's game with a minor hamstring strain, suffered while beating out a infield grounder. We're told it's more precautionary than anything, but bears watching. 

RF Justin Kirby got up slowly after being called out at 2nd base during a double play early, and CF Kason Howell took a fastball to the forearm in the 3rd, but both remained in the game.  

Justin Kirby continues to rake

Kirby hit a three-run homerun in the first inning, the first of a trio of three-run homeruns that Auburn hit in the inning. For the season, he has six hits, all homeruns. 

Work the depth

Auburn took advantage of the large lead over an overmatched Florida A&M team to give the depth options on the roster some run. Ryan Dyal got the start at catcher, Brody Moss played at second, and Hall in left field. In the 5th inning, up 13-0, Auburn began to send in pinch-hitters and replacements - Gavin Miller came in for third base, Chris Stanfield entered to play centerfield, Mike Bello for right field, Brody Wortham to first base, Caden Green to shortstop, and Carter Wright behind the plate. RHP Cameron Keshock made his Auburn debut on the mound.

Don't worry about the late runs for Florida A&M

Auburn went deep into the bullpen to try and save some arms for the bullpen in the sixth, giving Cameron Keshock his Auburn debut and, later, Parker Carlson. Didn't quite work out as planned. 

Four hits, three walks, an error and a HBP allowed the Rattlers to score seven runs, taking the deficit inside the ten-run threshold to end the game via run-rule after the 7th. As both teams had backups at seemingly every position on the field, it's hard to really take anything meaningful away from the inning. Auburn's starters outscored Florida A&M 16-1 

What's next? 

Auburn takes on Lipscomb this weekend in Plainsman Park. Game times are 6PM (Friday), 4PM (Saturday), and 1PM (Sunday). Friday and Sunday's games will be available for streaming on SEC Network+ (Saturday overlaps with men's basketball vs Tennessee), and the radio call with Brad Law is available locally on 95.9 FM and online at AuburnTigers.com. 

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Auburn softball team overwhelms Troy for 14th straight win

Phillip Marshall

2–3 minutes

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  Freshman Axe Milanowski hit her first Auburn home run. (Photo: Auburn University)

A pitchers’ duel was expected when Auburn went to Troy on Wednesday night, but the Tigers’ Maddie Penta and Shelby Lowe did all the duelling.

In the Tigers' first true road game, Penta improved to 9-0. In five innings, she gave one hit a blooper and struck out 10. Lowe took over in the sixth inning and finished it. She gave up no hits and struck out three as Auburn won its 14th straight 11-0. It was Auburn’s sixth consecutive shutout victory. Auburn improved to 16-1. Troy fell to 10-6.

Penta to her rampage in the circle. In 44 innings, she has yet to give up a run.

Troy ace Leanna Johnson gave up four runs on three hits in three innings and took the loss to fall to 7-2. Olivia Cato gave up seven runs on six hits in  7 2/3 innings.

“We really used the changeup tonight,” Auburn coach Mickey Dean said. “When you have a pitcher that throws with the velocity that Maddie does on top of a good changeup, it is difficult as a hitter. Her rise ball started really popping in the second inning.”

The Tigers scored three runs in the first on an RBI double by Carlee McCondichie and a two-run triple by Lindsey Garcia. Bri Ellis drove home a run in the third with a sacrifice fly. Denver Bryant scored on a wild pitch in the fourth.

The real fireworks were provided by pinch-hitters in the seventh inning.

Maia Engelkes drove in three runs with a bases-clearing double. Freshman Axe Milanowski hit a three-run homer, her first at Auburn. It was particularly meaningful for Milanowski, who is from an hour’s drive away in Dothan and had substantial cheering section.

“I was a little nervous,” Milanowski said. “I just trusted my process. I live an hour away. Everyone came out tonight. My high school team is here. It’s great to see all of them.”

Auburn returns home Friday to open the Jane B. Moore Memorial. Auburn plays Bowling Green at 3 p.m. and South Alabama at 5:30.

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