AUBURN, AL — Texas A&M Softball dropped game two against No. 20 Auburn, 8-1, Saturday at Jane B. Moore Field.
The Aggies (16-10, 1-4 SEC) quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Blake-Ann Fritsch belted her first career home run. Auburn (25-4, 2-0 SEC) responded with two runs on a Kendall Veach home run in the second, before scoring six runs in the fourth to secure the victory.
Texas A&M’s offense was limited to three hits on the day as Ashlynn Walls reached on a bunt single in the third and Baylee Klingler roped a single up the middle in the seventh.
Auburn pitcher Chardonnay Harris earned the complete-game victory and recorded 10 strikeouts. Payton McBride was saddled with the loss after allowing eight runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings. Kendall Potts threw 1.2 innings of one-hit relief as Hannah Mayo closed out the game with two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 sixth inning.
KEY INNINGS
T1| With one out, junior Blake-Ann Fritsch blasted her first career home run over the right field wall. A&M 1, AU 0
B2| Kendall Veach gave Auburn the lead with a two-run homer to left center. AU 2, A&M 1
B4| The Tigers extended their lead to seven, scoring six runs. Justus Perry recorded an RBI infield single, before Aspyn Godwin reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Veach. Perry scored on a wild pitch as Taylon Snow plated Bree Fornis on a groundout to short. Alyssa Rivera singled to center, drving in Podayny. AU 8, A&M 1
Top Offensive Players:
Blake-Ann Fritsch | 1-for-4, HR, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Payton McBride – L, 3.1 IP, 5 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
Kendall Potts – 1.2 IP, H, BB, 2 SO
Hannah Mayo – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 2 SO
WHAT THEY SAID
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On Blake-Ann Fritsch’s first career home run …
“I am really proud of her. She is a selfless teammate and a really hard worker. She is always positive and does her job. I am pleased to see her having a breakout weekend. She got all of that one. It was no-doubter and really gave us a boost in the first inning.”
ON DECK
The teams return Sunday at 2 p.m. for the series finale. The game can be seen on SEC Network +.
