Indiana University Athletics
Friday, March 4
Auburn, Ala.
6:30 PM
Indiana University
7
at
8
Auburn University
IU’s Upset Bid Falls Just Short Against No. 3 Auburn, 8-7
3/4/2016 11:46:00 PM | Softball
AUBURN, Ala. – Despite an early 7-0 advantage, Indiana Softball's bid to upset No. 3 Auburn fell just short as the Hoosiers dropped an 8-7 battle in eight innings on Friday night.
Indiana (9-7) carried the lead into the fourth inning before Auburn (16-1) scored eight straight to win the game.
Junior CaraMia Tsirigos was the catalyst for the Hoosier offense as she registered five RBI, including her second career grand slam. Tsirigos' five RBI is tied for third most in a single game in Indiana history.
After sophomore Rebecca Blitz led off the game with a single up the middle, senior Shannon Cawley walked and senior Kelsey Dotson was hit by a pitch to load the bags for Tsirigos, whose second home run of the season put Indiana up 4-0 on a shot to right-center. The grand slam marked the first time an opponent scored first against Auburn this season.
Tsirigos came up big again in the third frame as she doubled down the left field line to score Cawley. One batter later, Dotson scored as she was hit by an errant throw from the Auburn catcher to make it 6-0.
The final Indiana run came in the fourth as sophomore Aimilia McDonough reached on a Tiger error, allowing freshman Sarah Galovich to score.
Freshman pitcher Tara Trainer started strong as she allowed just one Auburn hit through the first three innings of action.
However, the Tigers, who rank fifth in the nation in home runs, put up back-to-back solo shots to lead off the fourth inning and cut the Indiana lead to 7-2. Auburn further carved into the deficit on a two-run, two-out single by Carlee Wallace.
A fifth-inning RBI double by Courtney Shea made it 7-5 before a bases-loaded walk and RBI single made it a tie ballgame one inning later.
The international tiebreaker rule was put into effect in the extra inning as a runner was placed on second base to start the frame. After the Hoosiers stranded junior Erin Lehman on second, Auburn drew a pair of walks to load the bases for Madi Gipson, whose sacrifice fly scored Tiffany Howard to secure the win.
Up next, the Hoosiers face Murray State on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET in day two of the Wilson/DeMarini Classic.
Indiana (9-7) carried the lead into the fourth inning before Auburn (16-1) scored eight straight to win the game.
Junior CaraMia Tsirigos was the catalyst for the Hoosier offense as she registered five RBI, including her second career grand slam. Tsirigos' five RBI is tied for third most in a single game in Indiana history.
After sophomore Rebecca Blitz led off the game with a single up the middle, senior Shannon Cawley walked and senior Kelsey Dotson was hit by a pitch to load the bags for Tsirigos, whose second home run of the season put Indiana up 4-0 on a shot to right-center. The grand slam marked the first time an opponent scored first against Auburn this season.
Tsirigos came up big again in the third frame as she doubled down the left field line to score Cawley. One batter later, Dotson scored as she was hit by an errant throw from the Auburn catcher to make it 6-0.
The final Indiana run came in the fourth as sophomore Aimilia McDonough reached on a Tiger error, allowing freshman Sarah Galovich to score.
Freshman pitcher Tara Trainer started strong as she allowed just one Auburn hit through the first three innings of action.
However, the Tigers, who rank fifth in the nation in home runs, put up back-to-back solo shots to lead off the fourth inning and cut the Indiana lead to 7-2. Auburn further carved into the deficit on a two-run, two-out single by Carlee Wallace.
A fifth-inning RBI double by Courtney Shea made it 7-5 before a bases-loaded walk and RBI single made it a tie ballgame one inning later.
The international tiebreaker rule was put into effect in the extra inning as a runner was placed on second base to start the frame. After the Hoosiers stranded junior Erin Lehman on second, Auburn drew a pair of walks to load the bases for Madi Gipson, whose sacrifice fly scored Tiffany Howard to secure the win.
Up next, the Hoosiers face Murray State on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET in day two of the Wilson/DeMarini Classic.
Players Mentioned
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