04/10 at 10:29 PM

Starkville, Miss. — Amber Harrison’s RBI single drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning and Caitlin Stangl’s diving catch in center for the final out clinched a 5-4 victory for the 22nd-ranked Auburn softball team over Mississippi State Sunday afternoon.

Auburn clinched a series victory and improved to 32-9 overall and 11-6 in the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State dropped to 20-21 overall and 8-8 in the SEC.

“This was a great win today,” Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. “I’m really proud of the way this team fought and hustled today. Amber had two huge hits for us. Our defense played great and Jenee did a tremendous job coming out of the bullpen when State had momentum in the sixth inning.”

The Tigers and Bulldogs went the first four innings without scoring a run before the teams combined to score eight runs, all on two outs, in the fifth and sixth innings.

Jenee Loree earned the win in relief to improve to 9-3. Loree pitched two and one-third innings, allowing just two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Lauren Schmalz started and went the first five and two-thirds. Schmalz allowed, four runs, all earned, on four hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Schmalz held Mississippi State without a hit through five innings.

Kylie Vry (8-10) took the loss in relief. Vry threw one and two-thirds innings, allowing one run, earned, on three hits with no walks or strikeouts. Misty Flesher went two-thirds of an inning, allowing just one hit. Stephanie Becker started for Mississippi State but did not earn a decision. Becker went five and two-thirds, allowing four runs, two earned, on three hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Pitching dominated the first four innings of play as neither team managed a hit. Mississippi State produced the game’s only base runner on a leadoff walk in the bottom of the third, but Schmalz never allowed the base runner to advance to second base.

The Tigers broke the offensive drought in the top of the fifth inning. Lauren Guzman got the first hit of the game on a one-out single to center. A ground out to third by Kyndall White moved Guzman to second with two outs. After a walk to Katie Colton, Caitlin Schultze lofted a fly ball to the wall in center that Brittany Gates caught and then dropped. Guzman and Colton each scored on the error to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

Auburn increased its lead in the top of the sixth inning on a two-out, solo home run from Amber Harrison. It was Harrison’s sixth home run this season, with all six coming with two outs. Hilary Mavromat made it back-to-back homers as she took Becker’s first pitch over the wall in left. It was Mavromat’s fifth home run of the season and it pushed the Auburn lead to 4-0. Harrison and Mavromat’s homers marked Auburn’s first back-to-back shots since Harrison and Kelsey Cartwright did the trick against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 27.

Mississippi State ended Schmalz’s no-hit bid and pushed four runs across the plate in the bottom of the sixth. Chelsea Raines doubled to open the bottom of the sixth. Gates followed the double by reaching on a wild pitch on a swinging third strike to give the Bulldogs two on with no outs. Jessica Cooley then loaded the bases on a bunt single that rolled still just to the third base side of the pitching circle.

On a 3-2 pitch, Ali Bainbridge lofted a fly ball to shallow center that Caitlin Stangl caught and fired quickly home to nail Raines attempting to score. Gates moved to third and Cooley to second on the throw. With two outs, Jessica Offutt took Schmalz’s 2-2 pitch to left-center for a two-run double, scoring Gates and Cooley to cut the AU lead to 4-2. Schmalz kept the inning going when she hit Kaili Smith on 2-2 pitch, putting runners at second and first.

With Courtney Nesbit at the plate, Schmalz threw wildly on a 2-2 pitch to advance the runners to third and second. Nesbit then took a 3-2 pitch off the wall in left-center for a two-run single that scored Offutt and Smith to tie the game 4-4. The hit chased Schmalz for Loree, who ended the Mississippi State rally by striking out Sam Lenahan on three pitches.

In the bottom of the seventh, Brittany Bell reached on a one-out bunt single down the first base line. Loree fanned Gates for the second out of the inning, but pushed the winning run to second when she walked Cooley. Bell was then lifted for pinch-runner Rachael Zdeb. An intentional walk to Bainbridge loaded the bases for Offutt. Loree ended the threat, however, when she fanned Offutt on a swinging strike three.

Morgan Estell led off the eighth with a single through the right side and moved to second on Cartwright’s sacrifice bunt. Harrison followed with a single back up the middle that scored Estell to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead. Flesher relieved Vry following the RBI single and ended the Tigers’ rally with just one run crossing the plate.

In the bottom of the eighth, Loree fanned leadoff hitter Kaili Smith on a swinging strike three for the first out. On a 2-1 pitch, Nesbit laced a double to center to put the tying run aboard. Loree then notched the second out when she forced Lenahan into a ground out to short. Nesbit was unable to advance on the play. Stangl then ended the game with a diving catch in center field on a fly ball from Heidi Shape for the final out.

Men’s golf wins 3rd tourney of year
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The sixth-ranked Auburn men’s golf team won its third tournament of the 2010-11 season Sunday, besting an 18-team field at the Bluegrass Invitational in Lexington, Ky. 

The Tigers (289-868) finished the two-day, 54-hole event at 16-over, followed by tournament host Kentucky (298-876) at 24-over.

The win marks the first time since the 1996-97 season the Tigers have captured three events in a single season.  The victory was the 55th in school history and the fifth team title under second-year head coach Nick Clinard.

Sophomore Dominic Bozzelli (72-215) earned the top collegiate finish of his career Sunday, tying for second at two-over. The Pittsford, N.Y. native opened with an opening round 67, also a career best.

“We played a solid back nine under some very windy conditions and made putts when we needed to,“ said Clinard.  “It always feels good to come away with a victory and see all of the guys’ hard work pay off.  It was good to see Dominic play well. He’s been working extremely hard.  We have to continue working hard and maintain our focus with the post season right around the corner.“

After starting the event on hole No.2, the Tigers fired a 3-over opening round, led by Bozzelli.  Tournament host Kentucky trailed the Tigers by three strokes but would make their move during the second round.

After a lightning delay suspended round one for more than two hours, Saturday’s second round was called due to darkness after 14 holes. The Tigers closed out the day with freshman Dan Stringfellow sinking a 30-foot eagle putt on 13, leaving the Tigers with a six-over, 30-hole total.

Auburn resumed play Sunday on hole No. 14 with Stringfellow draining a 15-footer for birdie, moving the team to 5-over on the tournament.  The Tigers would finish the second round at 8-over and 11-over for tournament, with Kentucky taking a one-stroke advantage.

While the Tigers made the third round turn with a solid 2-over par against continued windy conditions, Kentucky moved into an eight-stroke advantage.  The Wildcats were five-over through the opening nine, compliments of two eagles and three birdies on the par-5, No. 7.

Auburn fought back into the lead on the back nine, shooting even-par through the opening six holes as Kentucky began giving up ground.  With just four holes remaining, the Tigers were at 13-over for the tournament, three strokes ahead of Kentucky.

Auburn would only lose three strokes to the remaining four holes while Kentucky hit an eight-stroke slide, sealing the win for the Tigers.

Although Bozzelli failed to find his rhythm in the second 18, he returned to form for Sunday’s final round, shooting a 1-over, 72, and nearly forcing a playoff for medalist honors.

“Got off to a hot start Saturday,“ said Bozzelli. “I was trusting the reads and felt confident in the putter all three rounds.  The conditions were tough. Holes 17 and 18 killed me all weekend. I was nine-over on those holes, but I felt like I played good enough to win.  You play to win the game, but it was nice to see some results start to show.  It was fun to play well.“

Bozzelli hit five putts over 20 feet in Saturday play, including two from over 40 feet.

Freshman Dan Stringfellow (72-217) also earned his top collegiate finish Sunday, tying for fifth at four-over.  Junior John Stembridge (72-218) made his first 2010-11 appearence for the Tigers, tying for 7th at five-over.  The Norcross, Ga., native returned to Lexington as the 2010 Bluegrass Invitational winner.

Junior Cory Gilmer (73-223) tied for 23rd at 10-over followed by sophomore Jackson Beindorf (77-225) tied for 30th at 12-over.

Akron (293-878), Toledo (303-892), Marshall (312-892), Michigan State (295-894), Dayton (297-896), Bowling Green (309-901), Western Carolina (301-903), Eastern Kentucky (299-907), Valparaiso (315-908), Ohio (314-909), Morehead State (304-912), Cincinatti (305-912), Western Kentucky (304-914), Utah Valley (312-916), Loyola-Chicago (310-928) and Lipscomb (320-939).

Dayton’s Chris Woeste (67-213) carded the only sub-par round in Sunday’s final 18, claiming medalist honors at even par.

The Tigers return to action April 15-17 at the 2011 SEC Championships in Sea Island, Ga.

Complete Bluegrass Invitational information can be accessed via http://www.UKAthletics.com.

Men’s tennis beats Ole Miss for first time since ‘93
The No. 21 Auburn men’s tennis team defeated No. 32 Ole Miss for the first time since 1993, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. With the win, the Tigers move to 13-8 (5-5 SEC) on the season while the Rebels drop to 11-7 (5-5 SEC).

“It has been so long since we have beaten this team,” Auburn head coach Eric Shore said. “It has been 18 years. I told Tim Puetz after he lost the second set tiebreaker, ‘well, we haven’t beat them in 18 years, what is another hour.

“Nobody beats Auburn men’s tennis team 24 straight times. I thought the doubles point was great. We didn’t get off to a good start, we didn’t look very good for awhile, but we got on them early in the singles. They’re a great team and you knew they were going to battle back and they did. I am happy for the guys.”

In doubles, Auburn’s No. 45 Alex Stamchev and Andreas Mies started the match off with an 8-6 victory over Tucker Vorster and Jonas Lutjen. In the No. 1 position, No. 28 Tim Puetz and Daniel Cochrane secured the doubles point for the Tigers by upsetting No. 8 Chris Thiemann and Marcel Thiemann, 8-5.

On court three, the Rebels’ Johan Backstrom and Adrian Forberg Skogeng defeated the Tigers’ Lucas Lopasso and Rafael Rondino, 8-6.

In singles, Auburn’s Andreas Mies cruised past Ole Miss’ Adrian Forber Skogeng, 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 5 position. On court two, Ole Miss’ No. 108 Tucker Vorster topped Auburn’s No. 118 Alex Stamchev, 6-2, 6-3. Auburn took a 3-1 advantage after Tim Hewitt defeated Chris Thiemann, 6-4, 7-5.

Auburn’s Rafael Rondino clinched the win for the Tigers by toppling Johan Backstrom, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-2 on court six. Ole Miss gained their second point of the match after Jonas Lutjen beat Daniel Cochrane, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. On court one, No. 15 Tim Puetz gave Auburn its fifth and final point by defeating No. 40 Marcel Thiemann, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-2.

Up next for the Tigers will be a matchup against in-state rival Alabama on Saturday, April 16 in the regular-season finale. The match will be held at the Yarbrough Tennis Center and admission is free. Live stats can also be accessed at AuburnTigers.com.

Women’s tennis swept by Rebels
OXFORD, Miss. — The Auburn women’s tennis team took dropped a 4-0 decision Sunday at Ole Miss. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 5-16 (1-9 SEC) on the season and will wrap up regular-season play Saturday at Alabama.

“We had a good effort today, we just didn’t convert any opportunities,” said Auburn head coach Tim Gray. “That makes all the difference - having the courage and the poise to execute under pressure.”

In doubles, Ole Miss took the point with victories in all three matches. In the No. 1 matchup, Auburn’s Plamena Kurteva and Jacquline Kasler fell to Ole Miss’ No. 23 Kristi Boxx and Abby Guthrie, 8-4. Auburn did not field a third doubles team, securing the doubles point for the Rebels.

On court two, the Rebels’ Caroline Rohde-Moe and Laura van de Stroet were ahead of the Tigers’ Caroline Thornton and Pailina Schippers, 7-2, before play was suspended.

In singles, Ole Miss won on three courts to secure the overall win. On court six, Ole Miss’ Vivian Vlaar won out against Auburn’s Taylor Cohen, 6-2, 6-1. On court five the Tigers’ Maria Arechavaleta fell to Ole Miss’ Guthrie, 6-1, 6-3. In the No. 1 match, Auburn’s Thornton lost to Ole Miss Boxx, who is currently ranked 22nd in the nation, to secure the win for the Rebels.

Play was suspended after the match was decided. On court two, the Rebels’ No. 112 Conner Vogel was ahead of Auburn’s Schippers, 6-4, 3-1. On court three Ole Miss’ Rohde-Moe was ahead of the Tigers’ Kurteva 7-6 (1), 2-3. On court four, the Auburn’s Kalser was trailing Ole Miss’ Van De Stroet, 7-6 (3), 3-2

Auburn will close out the regular season Saturday against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The match is set to begin at 5 p.m., and fans can follow live stats at AuburnTigers.com.