Auburn University’s softball team secured a 10-1 win over BYU on Friday night at the Big League Dreams Complex in Cathedral City, California. The game ended after five innings due to the run rule.
“We needed to bounce back,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “It was great to see us compete from the very beginning, one pitch at a time. Ella (Harison) did a great job in the start and set the tone. Ma’Nia (Womack) came up with a big hit to get us woken up. It is a quick turnaround for tomorrow, so it was important to get through the game as fast as possible and give us a chance to rest. It was big for our team to respond.”
Auburn recorded nine hits, including home runs by junior Ma’Nia Womack and freshman Haven Roebuck. Womack’s two-run homer in the first inning gave Auburn an early lead that they maintained throughout the game.
Womack finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs. Redshirt sophomore Kyla Stroud marked her birthday with two hits and two RBIs, while senior McKaela Walker added two hits, including a double.
Sophomore pitcher Ella Harrison started for Auburn, allowing four hits and one unearned run while striking out five batters. Redshirt freshman Abby Herndon pitched the final two innings, giving up just one hit and recording one strikeout.
BYU managed to score in the second inning after singles put runners on base and passed balls advanced them. Auburn responded quickly with multiple runs in both the second and third innings, extending their lead each time.
The Tigers loaded the bases several times during the game and capitalized on walks issued by BYU pitchers. Roebuck’s two-run home run in the fourth inning pushed Auburn into run-rule territory.
Notable performances included Kylie Shaw reaching base safely for her 14th consecutive game this season and Alyssa Hastings extending her hitting streak to five games while driving in two runs.
Auburn will continue its schedule at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Saturday with games against No. 21 Washington and Cal State Fullerton starting at 2 p.m. CT. Both games can be streamed live on FloSoftball with a paid subscription or heard via radio coverage provided by JJ Jackson on WEGL 91.1 FM or online through Auburn Tigers’ digital platforms.
The team will return home next week for the Jane B. Moore Memorial tournament from February 26 through March 1, hosting Troy, No. 17 Virginia Tech, and USC Upstate across six games at Jane B. Moore Field.
