AUBURN, Ala. | Alabama State head coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson has one of the youngest programs under her watch as the head coach of the Lady Hornets, and they ventured into Jane B. Moore Field Wednesday night to face an Auburn squad that is ranked 13th in the nation and is two years removed from playing for the national championship.
 
Not to mention that Auburn returned 14 letterwinners and six starters, while Alabama State had to replace eight starters from last year's conference runner-up.
 
The experience of Auburn showed Wednesday night as the Tigers pounded out 14 hits in a 22-0 run-rule victory over Alabama State in the non-conference contest.
 
Casey Durham was able to break up the perfect in the top of the fourth inning off Auburn reliever Ashlee Swindle with an infield single to second. The Lady Hornets were able to get another runner on when Kaylee Davis walked, before Kimberlee Owens reached on an infield error by the Tigers with no one out in the inning. However, the Lady Hornets were unable to score as Swindle struck out back-to-back hitters and a fielder's choice.
 
Auburn (28-6) was able to get their leadoff batter aboard in three of the four innings they sent batters to the plate, including in the first when sent 13 batters to the plate to face Alabama State starter Justine Jean (3-6). Victoria Draper led off the bottom of the first inning with a bunt single before tying the single-season school record in stolen bases on the second pitch of the game. The Tigers would score eight runs off of five hits in the first inning to take a commanding lead in the contest.
 
Kendall Veatch led off the second inning for the Tigers with a double to left, before Auburn had eight consecutive hitters reach base. Jean struck out Tannon Snow to end the inning, but not before Auburn scored five more runs to extend the lead to 13-0. The Tigers got the leadoff hitter on again in the third on a walk before putting up nine runs to extend the lead to 22-0.
 
The Tigers were retired in order one time on the night as reliever Charlene Castro came out and recorded four consecutive outs, as she came on in the bottom of the third inning. She recorded an out of the only batter she faced in the third, before retiring the side in order in the fourth.
 
Alabama State returns to action this weekend in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on the road at Prairie View A&M. The series begins with a single game at 3 pm on Friday, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday.
 
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