AUBURN, Ala. – As the Auburn Tigers celebrated Senior Day, they hoped to complete a sweep of the NC State Wolfpack.
Their seniors achieved this goal, ending their careers at Jane B. Moore Field win back-to-back run-rule victories.
The Auburn Tigers (32-21) defeated the NC State Wolfpack (25-29) 8-0 in six innings to record their second run-rule victory of the weekend behind a senior performance that will not soon be forgotten.
All nine Tigers that took the field were seniors, with the only exception being freshman designated player AnnaLea Adams. Shortstop Nelia Peralta recorded her second walk-off of the weekend with a two-RBI double to center field to cap a near-perfect Senior Day. Senior Icess Tresvik blasted one over the left field wall to get the scoring started, and Senior Abbey Smith also poured in two RBIs as the senior production shined throughout the weekend.
Tigers pitcher Haley Rainey tossed a complete game shutout, going six innings and allowing just one hit and two walks. Rainey was in control of this one from the get-go, setting the Wolfpack down in order in five of her six innings.
Sunday's contest had an eerie feeling of Friday night’s matchup, where the Tigers were also victorious 8-0 in six innings, with Nelia Peralta also hitting the walk-off knock, this time a single to left. SJ Geurin went the distance for the Tigers on Friday, giving spectators on Sunday a feeling of deja vu.
Game two of the series, which was scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m., was canceled due to inclement weather, as storms rolled across the southeast. The Tigers and Wolfpack never got the chance to take the field, as the game was called in the early morning.
With the Tigers series sweep, they have now won four of their last five contests, riding some much-needed momentum into their SEC Tournament matchup against bitter rival Alabama. The Tigers will be the 15th seed in the SEC Tournament, as they hope to improve their resumes and secure a position in an NCAA Regional.
For right now, though, the Tigers will celebrate their senior heroics on senior weekend.
The 15th-seeded Tigers and 10th-seeded Crimson Tide will square off on May 6th at Jack Turner Softball Stadium in Athens, GA, for the first round of the SEC Tournament, as another chapter will be written in this long and harsh rivalry. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and will be available for listening on the Auburn Sports Network.
