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Auburn softball jumps ahead of Cal State Fullerton in NCAA Regional thanks to Bri Ellis grand slam

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•05/19/23
Softball
(Matt Pendleton / USA TODAY Sports)

The Auburn softball team has started postseason play with a bang, courtesy of a grand slam by Bri Ellis.

Facing Cal State Fullerton, Auburn took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, then blew the game open in the following frame courtesy of Ellis’ grand slam.

The inning started with center fielder Makayla Packer getting aboard with a bunt single before second baseman Rose Roach walked. Cal State Fullerton recorded a strikeout for the first out, but proceeded to walk third baseman Denver Bryant to load the bases for Ellis.

Ellis did the rest, working the count to 2-0 before getting a low pitch to drive, taking it to left center field, where it hit a light pole and caromed off into the berm. It put the Tigers up 6-1.

Auburn opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out rally.

The Tigers got a base runner aboard when Ellis was hit by a pitch. Ellis moved over to second when right fielder Icess Tresvik walked. A single to center field from KK McCrary scored Ellis, and Tresvik made it home when left fielder Lindsey Garcia singled to left field, making it 2-0 early.

Cal State Fullerton plated a run in the top of the second inning, drawing blood early against the Auburn softball team.

First baseman Daisy Munoz led the inning off with a triple, and she scored right away when Deshea Hill singled down the left field line. That cut the Auburn lead to 2-1 before the Ellis grand slam in the bottom half of the inning.

Cal State Fullerton answered the Auburn grand slam with a run in the top of the third inning.

A pair of errors by the Tigers made that possible, with a Bailey Walla single to left center field scored an unearned run.

Auburn matched that run with its own in the bottom of the third inning. Garcia led off the inning with a double, then moved to third on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly to right field by Packer scored Garcia from third, making it 7-2 Auburn.

Play was in the fourth inning with Auburn batting at the time of publication.