Auburn softball downs Cal State Fullerton 12-2 in opening round of NCAA Tournament

First basemen Bri Ellis blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the second inning to give the Auburn Tigers a 6-1 lead en route to a 12-2 victory against Cal State Fullerton in an opening-round game of the 2023 NCAA Softball Championships at the Clemson Regional.

KK McCrary drove in the game’s first run in the opening frame with an RBI single that drove in Ellis, who got hit by a pitch to reach base. Auburn scored two runs in the first inning and four in the second, a lead they would not relinquish.

CSF’s runs came courtesy of a Deshea Hill hit in the top of the first off SEC Pitcher of the Year Maddie Pena. Bailey Walla drove in the second run for Cal State Fullerton in the top of the third.

Makayla Packer skied a ball to left field, driving in Lindsey Garcia on a sacrifice fly to give Auburn a 7-1 lead. The Tigers’ offensive erupted in the fourth run.

Packer got her second RBI with a one-out single in the fourth inning. All-SEC second-team player Nelia Peralta drove in the fifth run of the frame with a line drive base hit that brought Packer home. Getting five runs in the fourth gave Auburn a 12-2 lead.

Taking the considerable advantage into the bottom of the fifth gave the Tigers a chance for a run-rule win. Penta exited the game after four innings. Getting the run-rule game allowed Penta some early rest before facing Clemson for a spot in the regional final.

She allowed two runs on three hits, with the second being unearned. She also struck out three batters for her 26th win of the season.

Penta made way for Shelby Lowe to finish the game. Lowe walked Sophia Gueva to lead off the inning, and Alexa Neil reached first on a fielding era. Lowe settled in for the final three outs, with the last coming on a swinging strikeout by Daisy Munoz.

Auburn plays Clemson on Saturday at 1 pm.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.