AU ROUNDUP: Softball splits with Mercer

Special to the News

MACON, Ga. — The Auburn softball team pounded out 10 runs on 12 hits to win Game 2 of a doubleheader, 10-0, and earn a split with the Mercer Bears on Tuesday afternoon. Mercer won Game 1, 1-0.

Auburn improved to 28-8 with the split, while Mercer moved to 22-13.

The Tigers return to action this weekend with a three-game series at home against the ninth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Brittany Day moved to 9-2 with the win in the night cap. Day allowed only four hits while striking out eight without issuing a walk.

In Game 2, Myesha Finney got the Tigers on the board with a solo home run in the top of the first inning. It was Finney’s third home run of the season.

The Tigers added to their lead in the second inning when Brittany Scott connected on a bases-loaded single that scored two runs. Krista Clyde and Kyndall White each scored on the play that pushed the Auburn lead to 3-0.

Still in the second, Tatiana Fernandez was intentionally walked to load the bases. With two outs, reliever Allison Jones threw a wild pitch that brought Cassie Trosclair (single) home and give the Tigers a 4-0 margin.

Auburn added to its lead in the fourth inning with two runs. Then, in the sixth, the Tigers scored four more.

In Game 1, Jamie Madruga’s RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a scoreless tie and gave Mercer the winning run.

Anna Thompson took the loss for Auburn to fall to 9-5. Thompson struck out 12 and gave up only three hits and one walk.

Track’s Joanna Atkins honored by SEC
Joanna Atkins of the Auburn women’s track and field team has been named the SEC Female Freshman Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday.

In her first outdoor race as a collegian, Atkins won the 100 meters at the UTech Track and Field Classic last Saturday (March 22) in Kingston, Jamaica. Her regional qualifying time of 11.43 seconds ranks 10th in school history and tops the SEC so far this season.

Atkins was one of three Tigers who posted regional qualifying marks at the meet. Sophomore Danielle Gilchrist clocked a regional qualifying time of 13.49 seconds while placing second in the 100m hurdles, and junior Amelia Anderson qualified in the long jump with a runner-up performance of 6.22m (20-5).

The Auburn track and field teams will compete Saturday at the Yellow Jacket Invitational hosted by Georgia Tech.

Mills named to SEC Good Works Team
For the second year in-a-row, Auburn gymnast A.J. Mills has been named to the SEC Good Works Team, the Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday.

Mills’ selection comes after her participation in a slew of community service activities in and around Auburn and Lee County.

She has participated in Trick-or-Treat activities with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Family Fun Night at the Auburn Early Education Center.

Men’s tennis finishes 7th at Bulls Bay
AWENDAW, S.C. — The No. 14 Auburn men’s golf team (286-865) finished seventh in the Hootie at Bulls Bay at the par-71, 7,261-yard Bulls Bay Golf Club.

Jay Moseley (70-213), leading the Tigers for sixth consecutive outings, tied for 14th. Patton Kizzire (70-216) tied for 24th, Glenn Northcutt (72-217) tied for 27th, Gordon Strother (74-220) tied for 37th and Jaime Bowen (78-226) tied for 63rd.

Unranked NC State (271-838) claimed victory after carding a 13-under team total in the third round, the lowest of the tournament. 

The Tigers return to action April 7-8 at the Morris Williams Intercollegiate at the University of Texas.

Women’s tennis hosts Marshall today
The No. 33 Auburn women’s tennis team (12-5, 3-3 SEC) will host the No. 73 Marshall Thundering Herd at 2 p.m. today at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.

Auburn looks to extend its non-conference win-streak to five. Auburn is 9-2 when facing off to non-conference opponents in 2008. 

The match is open to the public and admission is free.

Targett, Goh competing in Aussie Championships
SYDNEY, Australia — Auburn’s Matt Targett and Rachel Goh were back in action Monday and Tuesday at the 2008 Telestra Australian Swimming Championships. The meet is being used as a selection meet for the Australian National Team at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Both swimmers are taking the year off from the Auburn swimming and diving teams to try and qualify for the Olympics.

Targett had the top finish of the two as he finished third in the 100m freestyle semifinals with a time of 48.79. Finals in the event will take place on Wednesday.

Goh’s top swim came in the 100m backstroke on Monday, as she finished seventh in the finals with a time of 1:02.41. Goh swam a 1:02.38 in the semifinals to advance to the finals.