MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.– Seeing a successful 2014 campaign come to an end, the Green Bay softball was eliminated in the NCAA Tournament by Auburn, 9-1, on Saturday evening in Minneapolis.
With the loss, the Phoenix finished its season with a record of 27-14, tying a program record for wins in a season. It also collected its first Horizon League regular season title in program history and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for just the second time.
Auburn took the early lead in the top of the first as Emily Carosone led off the game with a triple to deep center before coming home on an RBI groundout by Kasey Cooper to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
The Tigers grew their lead to 6-0 in the second, receiving five runs on five hits. Green Bay dented the scoreboard in the home half as senior Shannon Butts (Greenfield, Wis.) led off with a triple and scored on an illegal pitch to cut into the Auburn lead, 6-1.
But Auburn put up three more runs in the top of the fourth to go up 9-1. Green Bay threatened in the bottom half, as Shannon Butts continued her strong showing at the plate with an infield single to start the inning. One batter later pinch hitter Alyssa Johnson (Elmhurst, Ill.) reached on a fielder’s choice that caught the lead runner out, but the inning came to an end as Stacey Butts (Greenfield, Wis.) singled to short, but Johnson got caught at second taking a wide turn around the base.
Shannon Butts finished the game 2-for-2 with a run scored, while sister Stacey also went 2-for-2. Senior Ashley Nannemann (Burlington, Wis.) threw 2.0 innings, allowing six runs on six hits. Sophomore Briana Cavin (Elk Grove Village, Ill.) threw the final 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits.
**Release courtesy of Green Bay Athletic Communications.
