Clemmons dominates, offense shines as Tigers run rule North Carolina 11-1

AUBURN, Ala. – A dominating start by Chalea Clemmons and a nine-run fourth inning powered Auburn softball (5-0) to an 11-1 victory over North Carolina (3-2) Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field to cap a perfect Opening Weekend on The Plains.

“With the two long days before, we were hoping we wouldn’t need to dig up some juice somewhere,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “The players did a great job coming out and scraping to put that game away.”

In her first collegiate start, Clemmons was virtually untouchable as she kept the Tar Heels off the board over the first four innings. She scattered a pair of hits and a walk while striking out four to improve to 2-0. Haley Rainey recorded the final three outs. She allowed one hit, one walk and recorded a strikeout.

“I knew my offense and my defense were going to have my back,” Clemmons said. “Amelia (Lech) really helped a lot and that calmed my nerves. It was a fun day.”

Amelia Lech turned in her best performance of the weekend with a 2-for-3 outing at the plate. She delivered a two-run home run in the second inning to put the Tigers on the board and then added her third RBI of the game as part of Auburn’s giant fourth inning.

“The difference in our team and the way we carry ourselves is incredible,” Lech said. “It’s because of these coaches and the way they hold us to that standard. They are amazing people and have our backs for anything in the world.”

Joining Lech in the home run column was freshman AnnaLea Adams. Her first collegiate hit was a three-run bomb in the fourth frame. Kylie Brockman and Rose Roach both turned in 2-for-2 afternoons at the plate with an RBI each.

It was Brockman’s one-out single in the second inning that put a Tiger on base ahead of Lech. She did not miss, connecting for her first blast of the season that ricocheted off the scoreboard, putting Auburn up 2-0.

The lead would hold until the Tiger offense exploded in the fourth inning. It was Ma’Nia Womack that got the frame going with a leadoff triple. Roach followed with an RBI infield single to second base.

Auburn would load the bases with one out ahead of Anna Wohlers, who drew the walk to make it 4-0. The Tigers then would record three straight hits with a KK McCrary double and singles from Brockman and Lech to plate five runs. Adams delivered her two-out, three-run homer to put the exclamation point on the afternoon.