🥎 Cauley Fires No-Hitter as AUM Softball Rolls to Twin Run-Rule Wins at CSU Invitational

Reese Cauley headlines a dominant day as the Warhawks blast Florida Southern and blank host Columbus State in five innings

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks made a thunderous early-season statement Friday, riding a historic no-hitter from Reese Cauley and an explosive offense to a pair of dominant victories at the Columbus State Invitational.

AUM (4-0) opened the day with a 10–3 win over the Florida Southern Mocs, then closed with a five-inning, 10–0 shutout of host Columbus State Cougars, punctuated by Cauley’s first no-hitter of the season.

“Super proud of our team today,” head coach Wilkes Laney said. “Our offense came alive. We had double-digit hits, double-digit runs, and everyone contributed. And Reese throwing a no-hitter was big time. We did a lot of things right.”

Game 1: AUM 10, Florida Southern 3

The Warhawks wasted no time asserting control. Karris Rhine sparked the scoring with an RBI single in the opening inning, plating Chloe Baynes before stealing third and later scoring to give AUM a quick 2–0 edge.

The second inning turned decisive. AUM erupted for five runs behind a relentless string of hits from Arianna Machado, Baynes, Gabbi Barnowsky, Kennedy Sevcik, Olivia Watkins, Ansley Watson, and a ringing double from Chloe Hollon, stretching the lead to 7–0.

Florida Southern briefly answered with a two-RBI double from Ella Torres in the third, but Rhine crushed a solo homer in the fourth to keep the Warhawks firmly in command. RBI knocks from Rhine and Sevcik in the fifth sealed the 10–3 victory.

Notables – Game 1

• Sydni Free: 5.1 IP, career-high 7 strikeouts, just one earned run
• Kennedy Sevcik: perfect 4-for-4, four RBI
• Karris Rhine: 3-for-4, three RBI, three runs, HR
• Chloe Baynes: two hits, a walk, three runs scored
• Rebecca Komers & Olivia Watkins: two hits apiece

Game 2 (5 Innings): AUM 10, Columbus State 0

Momentum carried straight into the nightcap. After Baynes reached and stole second, Barnowsky’s RBI double opened the scoring before Olivia Watkins launched a three-run blast to cap a four-run first inning.

AUM continued to pour it on in the third as hits from Meredith Kellum, Komers, Gracie Suggs, and Jasmine Sneed fueled another three-run frame. Rhine added her second home run of the day to push the lead to eight.

In the circle, Cauley was untouchable. The right-hander retired Cougar after Cougar, finishing off the run-rule win in the fifth and etching her name into the Warhawks’ record book.

Notables – Game 2

• Reese Cauley: no-hitter, five strikeouts, two walks
• First AUM no-hitter since Chelisa Newsome’s five-inning gem last season
• Rebecca Komers: perfect 3-for-3, two runs
• Olivia Watkins: 2-for-2, three RBI, two runs, walk
• Karris Rhine: two hits, two runs, RBI
• Jasmine Sneed: two hits, two RBI

What’s Next

The Warhawks return to action Saturday at the Columbus State Invitational with a marquee matchup against Tuskegee Golden Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.

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-- By Andréa Mochida

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