AUBURN, Ala. – The Alabama State University softball team could not overcome a big first inning by third-ranked Auburn University Wednesday, falling to the Tigers 14-0 at Jane B. Moore Field in non-conference action.

Alabama State (5-13) was unable to overcome a 10-run first inning by the national runner-up from last season in the loss. Although they struggled against the potent Auburn offense, they showed some life early on by putting the ball in play against a Tiger pitching staff with a sub-1.00 earned run average through 21 games.

The Lady Hornets wasted little time in getting their first runner on against Auburn starter Makayla Martin, as Laura Aguilar hit the fourth pitch of the game up the middle for a single. After back-to-back fielder choices, Kendall Core reached with a two-out walk that moved Perry Hindi – who reached base for the 16th consecutive game - to second; however, that is where the first inning ended for the Lady Hornets.

Auburn (20-2) wasted little time in getting their offense started early starting with a lead-off double by Carlee Wallace,  and back-to-back walks to Kasey Cooper and Haley Fagan. That led to a bases-clearing double by Kendall Veatch to push the Tigers to a quick 3-0 lead. They continued to add to the lead in the first when Madi Gipson tripled off the right field wall and an infield single by Morgan Podany to push the lead to 5-0 before Aguilar recorded the first out on a fielder's choice for the Lady Hornets.

Auburn would add four more runs of Alabama State reliever Vanessa Bradford in the bottom of the inning before they were finally able to get out of the inning, using a strikeout of All-American third baseman Cooper and a groundout by Courtney Shea.

Kaylee Davis stayed hot at the plate as she received her second consecutive start, collecting her fifth hit in eight tries with a second inning infield single. Auburn was able to another pair of runs in the bottom of the second, but the Lady Hornets had two of the bigger plays of the game in the inning as both Valerie Centeno and Davis made catches at the wall to keep balls in the park. Therese Byrne followed that up with a throw to third to nail Carlee Wallace for the final out of the inning, as she tried to advance two bases on a ball hit to the gap.

Auburn added a pair of runs in the third, before Alabama State was able to get another baserunner on in the top of the fourth inning. After back-to-back balls hit to short by Core and Kimberlee Owens, Ragan Lacy followed up with another ball hit into the hole that was mishandled and allowed to reach base for the first time as a batter in her collegiate career.

Therese Byrne also reached on a hit, with an infield single back to the pitcher in the top of the fifth inning before retired on a double play to end the game.

Charlene Castro (0-5) suffered the loss for Alabama State, leaving before she was able to record an out in the first. She was charged with six runs, all earned with three walks. Bradford went three innings in relief for the Lady Hornets, giving up eight runs off of seven hits before giving way to fellow freshman Justine Jean. The freshman pitched a scoreless fourth inning to close out the game for the Lady Hornets.

Alabama State returns to action this weekend at the Leon Smith Classic in Oxford (Ala.), facing Missouri State Saturday at 10:30 am. They will also face Belmont Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 pm.

For more information on Alabama State University athletics, follow us on Twitter @BamaStateSports and like us on Facebook. For more information on Alabama State University softball, follow us on Twitter @BamaStateSB.