MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn Montgomery exploded for 20 runs on 23 hits while capitalizing on six West Alabama errors, sweeping the Tigers 13-5 and 7-2 in collegiate softball action at the AUM Softball Complex on Tuesday.
The Warhawks, looking to make the transition into the Gulf South Conference at the start of the 2019-20 academic year, improve to 10-7 overall. The Tigers fall to 9-10 as part of a three-game skid.
"It was a disappointing day, all around," UWA head coach Carie Dever-Boaz said. "There wasn't any part of the game we played well out there."
"I told them that after the Sunday we had, we will see how we define ourselves the next time we come out, and we didn't take advantage of it. We just existed."
After a 2-2 stalemate through three innings, West Alabama jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the fifth frame, starting off with an RBI double from
Chelsea Lobitos scored
Kierra Hague, who reached on a single up the middle two batters prior.
Sara Beth King extended the Tigers' lead to 4-2, driving in McKee, who advanced to third on Lobitos' double, with single to left field. Lobitos scored UWA's final run, touching home on a single off the bat of
AC Storey.
With just six hits on the board entering the bottom of the sixth, AUM ripped off nine hits, including three doubles as they batted around the lineup, scoring nine in the frame to take Game 1, 13-5 in six innings.
"We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves when we don't hit, pitch or play defense well," Dever-Boaz said. "We need to find a way to stop that mentality, and the only way I know how is through hard work."
King, Lobitos and Storey led the Tigers with two hits apiece, while Diekmann, Hague and McKee each chipped in one. Lobitos' double was the only extra-base hit for UWA.
The Warhawks doubled four times, each by different batters. Sydney Dishman recorded three runs-batted-in, while Kaylee Sparks contributed two RBIs. Jaycie Walker, Parker Pinholster, Abby Krueger, Chanel Newcomer, Christy Hendrix and Rose Schmidt each added on RBI.
"There's no panic, but the people we are putting in to do jobs, aren't doing their jobs," Dever-Boaz said. "We need to define roles for these players so that they can come in and do what they are good at."
Newcomer (1-2) earns the win, allowing just one hit while striking out five in relief of starter Rachel Ragland.
Andrea Edmonds (6-7) takes the loss, getting pegged for nine earned runs on 11 hits.
"They need to know that it's never only on one person," Dever-Boaz said. "I feel like that's kind of been the thought process instead of 'what can I do to come in and help the team."
West Alabama struck first in the second frame of Game 2, taking advantage of an AUM fielding error and some heads-up base-running to jump ahead 2-0.
However, two big innings from AUM would seal the deal in Montgomery, Alabama, as a three-run, third inning and a four-run fourth inning pushed the Warhawks over the Tigers for good.
Diekmann, Hague, Smart and King recorded each of the Tigers' four hits, while Smart and King accounted for UWA's two runs. Sparks led AUM in Game 2, chipping in three of the Warhawks' eight hits. Walker posted two hits, while Kaylin Finch, Dishman and Ragland each grabbed a hit.
Taylor Tiffany (4-2) earns the Game 2 win, allowing four hits while striking out six batters in six complete innings of work.
Ashley Stassin (3-3) takes the loss, giving up just three earned runs on eight hits.
"We still have a long season ahead of us, and we need to get our heads on right and find a way to become a team and fight again."
The Tigers will continue on the road, traveling to Valdosta, Georgia, for a three-game GSC series against the Lady Blazers, (16-3, 6-0) beginning with a double-header on Saturday. First pitch at Blazer Park is slated for 1 p.m. CST.
