Softball Game Preview: Auburn Tigers vs. Opelika Bulldogs

For the second straight game, Auburn will face off against Opelika. The Tigers will face off against the Bulldogs at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams are headed into the matchup with plenty of momentum (Auburn has won three straight at home, while Opelika won three straight on the road), something that'll have to change.

Auburn barely beat Opelika the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Tigers never let the Bulldogs get on the board and left with a 10-0 win on Tuesday.

Mary Alderson Grace and Abigail Helms made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Grace pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Meanwhile, Helms pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. At the plate, Grace scored two runs while going 2-for-3, while Helms scored a run while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. That's the most hits Grace has posted over her last seven matches.

In other pitching news, Lily Brewer looked comfortable as she pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.

Alivia Harris

Doubles (Career)

04/01/25 @ Opelika	2
03/29/25 @ Spanish Fort	1
03/22/25 vs Rogers	1
03/20/25 vs Dothan	1

Back at the plate, Laina Rae Sawyer and Alivia Harris did most of the damage at the plate: Sawyer went 2-for-4 with four RBI, two doubles, and one run, while Harris scored two runs while going 2-for-4. The dominant performance also gave Harris a new career-high in doubles (two). Another player making a difference was Caitlyn Brock, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 1-for-1.

Auburn kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in three consecutive games.

Auburn has been performing well recently as they've won six of their last eight contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-7 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.5 runs on average over those games. As for Opelika, the loss snapped their winning streak at eight games and leaves them with a 14-12 record.