SOFTBALL

Tigers fall to MSU

Heidi Shape’s three-run home run with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning propelled the Mississippi State Bulldogs to a 4-3 victory against the 22-ranked Auburn softball team Friday night in the series opener.

Auburn dropped to 30-9 overall and 9-6 in the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State improved to 20-19 overall and 8-6 in the SEC. The Tigers and Bulldogs continue the series with an 11:30 a.m. game today.

Jenee Loree (8-3) took the loss in a complete-game effort. Loree allowed four runs, all earned, on three hits with four walks and nine strikeouts.

Kylie Vry earned the win in relief to improve to 8-8. Vry pitched one and two-thirds innings, allowing just one hit and one walk with no strikeouts. Misty Flesher earned her fourth save, recording the final out of the game after walking one batter. Stephanie Becker started and went five innings, allowing three runs, all earned, on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

TRACK AND FIELD

Youth shines at FSU

Auburn track and field athletes won three field events during the opening day of competition at the Seminole Invitational hosted by Florida State on Friday. The opening day featured a limited number of events, but did not prevent the Tigers from having several youngsters with strong performances.

Auburn had the top two finishers in the women’s high jump, with sophomore Maya Pressley winning the event by equaling her career best with a jump of 1.83 meters (6-0). Junior Monica Carney was second with a mark of 1.70 meters (5-7).

In the men’s high jump, freshman DJ Smith finished first with a mark of 2.05 meters (6-8.75). He and Coastal Carolina’s Jacques Watson both cleared that height, but Smith earned the victory with fewer misses, having not missed up through that bar.

Another freshman, Marcus Popenfoose, won the men’s discus, with a throw of 50.74 meters (166-6). Freshman Victoria Nwadiogbu was fifth in the women’s discus with a mark of 37.28 meters (122-4).

Sophomore Tyler Kennedy was sixth overall and fifth among collegiate athletes in the men’s javelin with an effort of 58.54 meters (192-1).

In the only race involving Auburn athletes Friday night, senior Holly Knight posted the fourth-best mark in the 3,000 meters in school outdoor history, clocking a time of 9:25.01 in a mixed event that included both male and female runners.

The Tigers will wrap up competition at the Seminole Invitational today.

MEN’S TENNIS

MSU too much for AU

The No. 21 Auburn men’s tennis team fell to the No. 25 Mississippi State Bulldogs on Friday night, 5-2, at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.

In doubles, Mississippi State’s No. 84 Louis Cant and Malte Stropp upset Auburn’s No. 28 Tim Puetz and Daniel Cochrane, 8-5. On Court 2, the Bulldogs secured the doubles point after Artem Ilyushin and George Coupland defeated No. 45 Alex Stamchev and Andreas Mies, 8-5. In the No. 3 position, Auburn’s Lucas Lopasso and Rafael Rondino topped Zach White and James Chaudry, 9-8 (5).

In singles, Auburn’s No. 15 Puetz tied the match at 1-1 after beating No. 76 Coupland, 6-4, 6-2. In the No. 4 spot, the Bulldogs’ Stropp toppled Cochrane, 6-2, 6-2. On Court 2, the Tigers’ No. 118 Stamchev stormed past No. 94 Ilyushin, 6-4, 6-2, to tie the match at 2-2.

The Bulldogs’ Chaudry battled back in a three set victory over Tim Hewitt, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, on Court 3. Mississippi State’s Zach White clinched the match by topping Rondino, 6-2, 7-6 (3), in the No. 6 spot.

In the No. 5 position, the Bulldogs’ No. 77 Cant defeated Auburn’s Mies in a three set thriller, 7-5, 7-6 (2), 1-0 (8), to give Mississippi State the fifth and final point.