Auburn Softball: 3 Keys to Auburn Winning WCWS
After yet another thrilling come-from-behind win in the Women’s College World Series by Auburn softball, the Tigers are now just one win away from winning the title.
They trailed 3-0 in game one and rallied in the seventh with two runs and had the tying run on third with one out, but failed to complete the comeback. In game two they fell behind 7-0 early and then went on to score 11 unanswered runs – capped off by a walk-off grand slam.
And now here we are, just one win away from Auburn softball winning their first ever Women’s College World Series. At a time when all of the men’s major sports are such a disappointment, Auburn softball is making us all proud on the national stage.
More from Fly War Eagle
- Ex-star Auburn DL confronts ‘slant man’ in MNF post-game video
- Ex-Auburn star laments not getting to face fellow Heisman candidate
- Analyst expects third-year RB to take AU rushing lead from surprising transfer
- Hugh Freeze was the right hire to truly embrace Auburn
- Auburn football Jack LB: ‘We’ve got to earn our respect back’
Despite splitting the first two games of the series, Auburn has yet to play its best game. Here are three keys to Auburn softball winning the Women’s College World Series tonight.
No. 1 – Get ahead early
As we already mentioned, Auburn softball has constantly fallen behind early in the Women’s College World Series, digging themselves a hole. Auburn softball has trailed in all but one game during the WCWS, and that came in their first game against UCLA.
However, Auburn scored in the first inning of their first three games in the WCWS, but has yet to do that in either of the first two games against Oklahoma. Auburn softball needs to get back to what they were doing before and jump out to an early lead, putting the pressure on Oklahoma in a winner-take-all game.
College Softball World Series 2016: Oklahoma vs. Auburn Game 2 Score and Recap
No. 2 – Pitching is key
I know it sounds profound, but Auburn softball has to pitch well tonight to win this game. While Lexi Davis wasn’t terrible in game one, the Tigers can’t afford to allow Oklahoma to put up crooked numbers on the board. With that, the defense has got to pick the pitching up as it did late in game two after some miscues early that led to Oklahoma’s 7-run outburst.
There is no telling who Auburn softball head coach Clint Myers will go with on the mound in game 3. Rachel Walters and Makayla Martin were both solid last night, so maybe he rides the hot hand. Regardless, he has to have a short leash with whomever is on the mound. If Auburn softball pitchers can limit the Sooners to 3 runs or less, I like our chances.
No. 3 – Stay under control
It almost seems dumb to say it for this squad that has constantly kept its composure throughout this series no matter what they’re facing, but Auburn softball has never been in a position like this before. There are plenty of seniors on this team that should help keep everyone in check whether they get behind early or get ahead and need to stay focused.
While Oklahoma is a very talented team, they are also very young. Auburn softball should hold a big advantage over them as far as experience and composure goes. They need to use that to put the young Sooners on their heels early and rattle them.
Next: Auburn Mailbag: Answering Readers’ Questions
This is a big night for Auburn softball and Auburn fans alike. With football, basketball and baseball having down years, it’s nice to have something to hang our hat on in 2016. These girls have already accomplished so much over the past two seasons, Auburn softball can finish their journey off tonight by winning their first ever Women’s College World Series.
War Eagle!