Maddie Penta logs first career perfect game

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Penta Perfect: Auburn’s Maddie Penta logs first career perfect game, third in program history

Published: Mar. 01, 2024, 6:30 a.m.

3–4 minutes

AUBURN, AL - FEBRUARY 29 - Auburn Pitcher Maddie Penta (9) during the game between the #25 Auburn Tigers and the Georgia State Panthers at Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn, AL on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.Grayson Belanger/Auburn Tigers

After three years on The Plains, it’s hard to fathom that “firsts” still exist for Auburn softball’s senior pitcher Maddie Penta.

During her time in an Auburn uniform, Penta has hurled five no-hitters, became the first in program history to be named SEC Pitcher of the Year last year and became one of just four Auburn pitchers to tally 700 career strikeouts earlier this season.

And on Thursday night, in a hastily scheduled game against Georgia State, Penta added another feat to her long list of accolades — this one being the hardest for any pitcher to accomplish.

In a six-inning game that saw the 25th-ranked Tigers run rule the Panthers in an 8-0 win, Penta hurled 76 total pitches and didn’t allow a single Georgia State batter to reach a base, paving the way for the first perfect game of her college career.

“Perfect games are special,” said Auburn head coach Mickey Dean. “Maddie stayed ahead and put them away early in the count. A great game behind the plate from Aubrie (Lisenby) to go along with some great defensive efforts. We got some timely hits to put it away.”

Penta’s perfect game was the third in Auburn softball history and the first since Kaylee Carlson hurled one against Ohio State in 2017. Holly Currie became the first in program history to accomplish feat on Feb. 11, 2005.

During Thursday night’s perfect performance, Penta struck out 13 Georgia State batters, making for her third consecutive game in which she tallied double-digit strikeouts.

Through seven appearances on the season, Penta has already tallied 65 strikeouts and has maintained an ERA of 0.48.

Penta and the Tigers return to action Friday night as they host Northwestern at Auburn’s Jane B. Moore Field as part of the Jane B. Moore Memorial tournament, which stretches from Friday to Sunday and also features the North Texas and USC-Upstate.

Auburn’s weekend schedule, which is subject to change due to weather, is as follows:

Friday — vs. Northwestern, 5 p.m.

Saturday — vs. Northwestern, 3 p.m.

Saturday — vs. USC-Upstate, 6 p.m.

Sunday — vs. North Texas, 12 p.m.

Sunday — vs. USC-Upstate, 3 p.m.

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