Softball overpowers App State

AUBURN | A seven-run first inning along with a no-hit pitching performance from Marcy Harper and Rachael Walters guided Auburn to a 9-0 victory over Appalachian State Thursday night.

It was the Tigers' first game of the season.

“It was a good win, but we still have to loosen up a bit,” coach Clint Myers said. “There are things we did well tonight, but we have to keep improving. I’m smiling about a 9-0 win with a no-hitter. That’s pretty easy coaching there.”

Harper only allowed two runners on base the entire night -- one by way of a walk in the very first at-bat and the other due to an error.

Walters took over in the fifth inning, but it was Harper’s night in the circle that her coach will remember.

“I thought Marcy threw lights-out,” Myers said. “She made pitches and hit the zone. She walked one batter and struck out a bunch. That’s what we preach; get the ball in the zone and we’re going to make you hit what we want. I thought she executed quite well. I was very pleased.”

The no-hitter is Auburn’s first since Harper tossed her own five-inning no-hitter back in 2013 against Savannah State. The Mountaineers' last game without a hit? It happened in 1999.

Offensively, Auburn picked up where it left off 2015, scoring seven runs in the first inning with triples from junior Kasey Cooper and sophomore Whitney Jordan fueling the rally. Twelve batters stepped to the plate during that first inning.

Emily Carosone was the only Tiger to record a multi-hit game as she went 2-for-2 with two singles. Jordan led the way with two RBIs.

Auburn resumes play Friday against Western Kentucky at 5:30 p.m.