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For the first time this season, the No. 3 Auburn softball team had to hit the road. And for the first time this season, the pitching and defense were the keys to a win for the Tigers.

Behind a complete game from Marcy Harper and the Auburn defense coming through in the clutch, the Tigers knocked off the No. 15 Knights, 2-0.

Harper was in control for much of the day, only allowing four hits through seven innings. She struck out five and walked one. Now having pitched 16 innings this year, Harper has yet to allow a run, is limiting opponents to a .148 batting average as she improved to 3-0.

The only runs of the day happened in the first inning. The bases were loaded quickly as Tiffany Howard, Kasey Cooper and Jenna Abbott drew walks to start the game off of pitcher Shelby Turnier. That brought up catcher Carlee Wallace, who hit a single to left field, scoring Howard and Cooper.

Besides that inning, Turnier kept Auburn off balance for much of the game. She allowed five hits and struck out 11 Auburn batters in her seven innings of work.

With the offense struggling, the Auburn defense came through, with the biggest Knights’ threat coming in the fifth inning.