Auburn sweeps Plainsman Invitational

AUBURN | The Tigers have dealt with their fair share of hitting disappointments this season, but their performance this weekend may signal better times ahead.

Auburn (9-1) consummated an undefeated weekend Sunday with a 10-1 win against Mercer. The home team finished with a season-high 13 hits and watched enthusiastically as four starters posted multi-hit games.

Catcher Carlee Wallace led the way with two doubles and two RBIs. Centerfielder Victoria Draper posted a career high with three hits.

"It feels good," coach Clint Myers said after the win. "You saw glimpses of what we're going to be able to do on a consistent basis."

Sunday's game followed what's become a familiar February script during the Myers era. Auburn notched at least one hit in each of the game's five innings, built extended rallies in three of those innings. The game-changing rally occurred during the fourth inning. That's when Wallace drive in two runs with a double, Madi Gipson scored one on a single while Alyssa Rivera and Kendall Veach notched RBI groundouts.

The rally left Mercer, weary after an early-afternoon loss to SIU-Edwardsville, emotionally and physically drained. Freshman Justus Perry extended Auburn's lead into run-rule territory with a two-RBI single in the fifth inning.

Auburn's season batting average hovered below .200 just a few days ago, but things changed in a big way Saturday and Sunday. In their past three victories, the Tigers have hit .348 with 22 walks and six strikeouts.

"The quality of the at-bats is getting better," Myers said.