Maddie Penta pitched seven innings and allowed two runs to help Auburn defeat Clemson 5-2 in the 2023 NCAA Softball championships.

Auburn’s win pushes the series to an elimination game against Clemson. If Auburn wins, they’ll advance to a super-regional series. A loss ends the 2023 season for Auburn.

Auburn struck first by scoring three runs in the first inning. Infielder Bri Ellis hit her second home run of the regional off Clemson pitcher Valerie Cagle on a 1-1 count. The bomb by Ellis drove in 2B Rose Roach and shortstop Nelia Peralta. Rose reached base with a single that moved Peralta to second with no outs. Peralta led off the frame by drawing a walk.

Shortstop Alia Logoleo broke up Penta’s shutout attempt on a homerun that came on a 2-2 count with one out in the fourth inning. Rightfielder Caroline Jacobsen drew a bases-loaded walk against SEC Pitcher of the Year Penta with two outs in the fifth inning.

Penta got out of the jam by striking out Logoleo, who hit the home run in the fourth. Auburn maintained a 4-2 lead despite Penta throwing several pitches in the fifth on her third consecutive day of hurling. Penta entered the elimination with 147 pitches thrown in the two previous games. She nearly matched her pitch total from two games in one day.

Penta had two of her seven strikeouts to lead off the seventh inning. Cagle got a two-out single up the middle to keep the game going. Penta finished off the contest by getting Jacobsen to fly out to leftfield. Penta threw 138 pitches with seven strikeouts. The last strikeout was the 300th of the season for Penta.

It wasn’t easy as Penta walked four hitters and gave up six hits, including the Logoleo homerun. However, a combination of sound defense and sheer will from Penta got the job done. The start time for the second game will be determined.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.