No. 19 Auburn Sinks Spartans, 5-0

SPARTAN SYNOPSIS

Michigan State dropped a 5-0 decision to No. 19/20 Auburn on Thursday night to open the War Eagle Classic.

The host Tigers (16-4) got two runs in each the second and third innings, and a solo homer in the fifth. Jordan Watson got the start and took the loss, going two innings and giving up two runs (one earned), and three hits. McKenna Gregory came on in relief and threw four three-hit innings, and was charged with the final three runs, all earned. She struck out two.

Meanwhile, the Spartans (5-13) had the bases loaded with no outs in the third and two on with no outs in the fourth, but couldn't get a runner around thanks to a pair of double plays turned by the Auburn offense. Offensively, MSU got base hits from five different players: Caitie Ladd, Mackenzie Meech, Kaitlyn Eveland, Melanie Baccay, and Katie Quinlan. Charla Echols extended her streak of reaching base safely with a walk in the second inning.

Auburn pitcher Makayla Martin tossed the complete-game shutout, striking out four and scattering five hits. Offensively, Tannon Snow went 2-for-3 with two RBI, including a solo homer. The Tigers compiled six hits in the game, and both teams stranded four runners.

Due to an inclement weather forecast for Sunday, the schedule for the remainder of the War Eagle Classic has been shuffled. MSU will play Louisville (11:30 am CT) and Mercer (7 pm ET) on Friday, then take on Auburn (4:30 pm CT) and Mercer (7 pm CT) on Saturday.

QUOTABLE
"Little by little we are making progress - all I can ask of our team is to get better every game. This is our second game against an SEC opponent this week, and we're playing toe-to-toe. We had missed opportunities in the third and fourth innings, but we're doing a lot of things well. We have to condense our schedule now over the next couple of days due to the forecast, but we will be looking for us to continue to improve upon the progress we have made over the last week while we've been on spring break. We get two opportunities tomorrow instead of the regularly-scheduled one game."

Head Coach Jacquie Joseph

STATS AND STORYLINES

• Auburn's Kendall Veach hit a solo homer in the bottom of the second with no outs to get the home team on the board, and one out later, Bree Fornis tapped a comebacker into the circle that got away at first base, allowing Fornis to go all the way around to third. Morgan Podany followed with a bunt that brought home Fornis for a 2-0 lead.

• The Spartans led off the top of the third with back-to-back singles by Melanie Baccay and Katie Quinlan, and the pitcher Makayla Martin walked Charla Echols to load the bases. Baccay was called out at home on a fielder's choice as Ebonee Echols reached to keep the bases loaded. Caitie Ladd then hit the ball down the third base line, allowing Tannon Snow to turn the double play.

• Another two-base miscue against the Spartans led to the home team padding its lead in the bottom of the third inning. McKenna Gregory came on to pitch and got the first out before Alyssa Rivera followed with a single to right. Rivera stole second and went to third on a wild pitch, putting her at third to score easily on a Tannon Snow single into center. Gregory issued her first walk to put a pair on, and then Justus Perry grounded to second to reach on a fielder's choice, which allowed Snow to come around to score.

• For the second straight inning, MSU got back-to-back singles (from Mackenzie Meech and Kaitlyn Eveland) to lead off the fourth – and for the second straight inning, the Spartans hit into a double play that ended MSUs offensive threat.

• In the bottom of the fifth, Tannon Snow hit a solo homer with two outs to make it a 5-0 ballgame.

Players Mentioned

Melanie Baccay

Charla Echols

Ebonee Echols

Kaitlyn Eveland

McKenna Gregory

Caitie Ladd

Katie Quinlan

Jordan Watson