AUBURN, Ala. No. 2 Auburn softballs run-rule win over Liberty on Friday night wasnt quite like its last one. Instead of an opening inning that took more than 40 minutes because of the Tigers offensive explosion, they jumped out to a small lead in the early goings.

Then the bombs returned at Jane B. Moore Field from the top of the order. National player of the year favorite Kasey Cooper returned to form with a 3-run shot in the 4th, and the hot-hitting Carlee Wallace added one of her own in the 6th to engineer a 9-1victory over the visiting Flames.

We played well enough to win, Auburn head coach Clint Myers said. We hit a few balls hard. Again, its the same story, just a different day consistency. Were doing some good things. Weve just got to be more consistent with it.

MORE:Clint Myers updates status of ill transfer player Tannon Snow

Auburn (16-2) was never truly threatened by Liberty, which it beat 15-0 on Thursday, in its opening game of the Wilson/DeMarini Classic. But some timely extra-base knocksfrom the 1-2-3 hitters turned a closer-than-expected game to another run-rule rout.

Its a great team to be a part of, Cooper said. When were all on time and all hitting well together, its going to be phenomenal. I think were progressing well as a team. Its going to be something special at the end of the year.

3B Kasey Cooper: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 4 RBI and 1 BB

Auburns star third baseman entered the 2017 season as the best softball player in the country. But her production through the first month didnt quite meet expectations. After bashing a home run Thursday night against Liberty, Cooper did it again Friday night.

Im definitely more comfortable in the box and trusting my swing, Cooper said. The coaches pulled me upstairs and showed me my swing from last year to this year on top of each other. I saw what I needed to correct, and they let me correct it on my own. It feels good. I feel like myself again.

Coopers 3-run homer in the top of the 4th inning one that came with 2 outs broke the game open for the Tigers. She also added an RBI in the1st, tying herleadoff hitter Carlee Wallace for the team lead (19).

Even though Cooper only had one hit, it was the biggest one. Most of therest of her at-bats Friday night were productive, including a sacrifice fly to get things going in the 1st.

I think shes getting to a spot where she needs to be, Myers said. Shes making a habit of quality at-bats. With Fagan hitting behind her and Carlee in front of her, that limits what pitchers can do with her. Shes going to see some good pitches.

C Carlee Wallaces hot streak

Wallace likes seeing the Liberty Flames, obviously. In her two matchups against them, Wallace went 5-for-5 with all 5 hits of the extra-base variety. She also drew a pair of walks on Friday night, coming around to score three times.

Not a bad day, not a bad day, Myers said. That might answer some questions to why we had her as our leadoff hitter. There was a lot of speculation to that. She had a great night.

The junior catchers big moment of the night came in the top of the 6th, when she crushed a 3-run home run to extend Auburns lead to 7.

Wallace, combined with Cooper and senior shortstop Haley Fagan, batted a strong 11-for-16 against Liberty on back-to-back nights. Thats a 1-2-3 punch at the top of the order that Auburn needed to get rolling again before SEC play.

Auburn engineered a two-out rally in the top of the 4th to pad its narrow lead.

The 4th inning looked like it was going to be a sour one for Auburn, as its first two batters struck out looking with full counts. But after Victoria Draper legged out a bunt and stole second base, the Tigers had something cooking.

Carlee Wallace drew a walk, which setup Coopers 3-run bomb. While Liberty pulled a run back in the bottom of the inning, Auburn breathed easier for the rest of the evening and notched a comfortable victory.

The Tigers host a doubleheader on Day 2 of the Wilson/DeMarini Classic.

Auburn gets back-to-back games on Saturday with a matchup against College of Charleston (3:30 p.m. CT) and Texas State (6 p.m. CT). Texas State defeated College of Charleston, 11-3, in 6 innings on Friday.

Neither game will be televised or streamed, so make sure to follow @JFergusonAU on Twitter and stay locked into SEC Country for coverage.

See the original post:

Auburn softball: No. 2 Tigers open tourney with 2nd straight win vs ... - SECcountry.com