It was quite a door prize.

Auburn’s athletics marketing department gave away a pair of diamond earrings at the end of Wednesday’s softball game against Troy.

But while only one lucky fan got the earrings, each of the 372 in attendance saw another gem: A sterling pitching performance by Troy ace Ashlyn Williams.

Williams dominated Auburn’s hitters, shutting down the Tigers’ offense in a 3-0 Troy win. Williams struck out seven, allowing four hits and no walks.

It’s the latest in a frustrating stretch for AU’s hitters.

Auburn has lost five of its last six games, and the Tigers’ offense is sputtering. AU is averaging just 1.7 runs per game over the last 10 games.

“I can’t remember the last time we pitched with a lead,” AU head coach Tina Deese said. “Pitching with a lead is so much easier.”

Auburn (34-16) came close to a lead in the second inning Wednesday. Jorja Bell and Taryn Gray each reached on errors to lead off the inning. But Williams (25-11) retired the next three batters in order to end the inning and the threat.

AU couldn’t come up with another rally; the Tigers managed just three base-runners against Williams in the final five innings, and never more than one in an inning.

“She held us down, for sure,” Deese said of Williams. “Hats off to her.

“We couldn’t get anything going. We got a few hits, but we just couldn’t put a couple together.”

Auburn starter Anna Thompson (12-10) pitched into the sixth inning and allowed two runs on five hits. It was, Deese said, enough to give the Tigers a chance.

But AU’s offense couldn’t capitalize.

“She held them for five innings,” Deese said. “She did her job. We asked her to give us an opportunity, and that’s what she did.”

Auburn plays a three-game Southeastern Conference series at Florida this weekend.

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