Chardonnay Harris gave up five hits in pitcher her third shutout. Sophomore Auburn softball left-hander Chardonnay Harris didn’t need much help Wednesday night, but she got a lot en route to pitching a five-hit shutout and leading Auburn, the No. 10 seed, to a 3-0 win over Missouri, the No. 7 seed, in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Her defense played error-free behind her. Three times, when trouble loomed, shortstop Taylon Snow made diving catches. Senior centerfielder Morgan Podany made a spectacular catch, running down a long drive and crashing into the fence. Podany, junior Justus Perry, senior Kendall Veach and senior Casey McCrackin provided all the offense Harris needed. Podany’s two-run homer in the fifth inning, her second of the season and fourth of her career, broke open a 1-0 game. Auburn coach Mickey Dean saluted both teams when it was over. “That was an extremely well-played game by both teams,” Dean said. “No matter if you’re a fan of the Missouri Tigers or Auburn Tigers, you can watch that game over and over. Some of those plays were just great plays. Both pitchers, I thought, threw the ball extremely well.” Weather played havoc with the tournament’s first day, delaying the Auburn-Missouri start for some five hours. Harris was unfazed. She pitched her third Auburn shutout. She struck out six, walked four and did not allow a baserunner to reach third base. “It’s a blessing to be out here and know these girls have my back on the field,” Harris said. “It’s been a ride, and I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.” After McCrackin led off the game with a single on the first pitch and scored on Veach’s scorching single to left, the Tigers clung to that 1-0 lead until the fifth. They had good swings, hitting frequent line drives, but Missouri starter Madi Norman retired 10 straight. Perry broke through with a single off the left field fence to lead off the fifth. After pinch-hitter Carmyn Greenwood popped out, Podany, the No. 9 hitter, hit a 2-0 pitch over the left field fence. That was more than enough for Harris, who improved her record to 10-5. Podany, Dean said, earned her moment. “We were just talking last week about good things were going to happen for her,” Dean said. “She has put in so much extra time. You have no idea how hard this young lady has worked this year, especially on her hitting. Then to see her do that, that was awesome. The game will reward you.” Auburn finished with six hits, two by McCrackin. The victory was sweet tonic for the No. 24 Tigers, who lost eight of their last nine SEC games and 11 of their last 13. They improved to 36-18. Missouri fell to 32-23. Junior Ashlee Swindle is Auburn’s likely starter in the circle in Thursday’s game against No.2 Tennessee. She was the winning pitcher in Auburn’s 10-5 victory at Tennessee on April 6, relieving starter Lexie Handley with nobody out in the first inning and finishing the game. She gave up three runs on seven hits in seven innings to get the win. Gametime is set for 5:30 p.m. CT. Morgan Podany's two-run homer gave Auburn a 3-0 lead.<doc-sep>Auburn’s softball team tries to pull off another big SEC Tournament victory tonight against Tennessee at Davis Diamond on the Texas A&M campus. The Tigers (36-18) are the No. 10 seed. Tennessee (39-13) is the No. 2 seed. On Wednesday, the No. 24 Tigers beat Missouri, the No. 7 seed, 3-0. Tennessee had a first-round bye. Auburn won two of three over Tennessee in Knoxville in early April, winning 10-5 and 3-0 before falling 8-1 in the finale. Auburn sends junior Ashlee Swindle (9-8, 3.21) to the circle. Tennessee counters with Caylan Arnold (8-7, 2.66) . The winner between the Tigers and the Vols plays Florida in the semifinals on Friday. The Gators beat LSU 3-0 on Thursday after rallying to beat South Carolina 6-5 on Wednesday. Check back on the forums throughout the game for inning-by-inning updates.<doc-sep>
After 3-0 loss to Auburn, Missouri softball awaits its postseason fate Missouri’s run in the SEC Tournament was short lived as the Tigers were bounced by Auburn in the first round on Wednesday night. Auburn got a strong complete-game shutout effort from Chardonnay Harris, as Maddie Norman was the tough-luck loser for Missouri, pitching a complete-game of her own in the loss. Final Stats: Auburn 3, Missouri 0 Auburn robbed Missouri defensively a few times after going up 1-0 in the first inning; a two-run home run by Morgan Podany in the fifth produced the final scoreline. Missouri did a little robbing of its own, too. A disappointing end for Missouri’s regular season, undoubtedly, but the Tigers will be a time to watch in the NCAA postseason. Missouri (32-23) will find out its destination on Sunday. Missouri hoops raises APR, can finally put Frank Haith’s roster turnover behind them The latest APR came out on Wednesday, and Missouri’s four-year average jumped to 953, according to Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This is despite the year-over-year number falling from 955 to 953. The reason for that jump in four-year average (932 to 953)? An insane 851 mark from 2013-2014 is finally off the books. Last year, the Tigers were on the brink of sanctions. Teams that produce four-year averages that dip below 930 are eligible for penalties, including postseason bans. Mizzou’s low score for 2013-14 reflected the roster overhaul in Frank Haith’s final year as coach. So, the effects of the Frank Haith regime can finally be put to bed. More Links: