The Road to Oklahoma City begins with a first pitch, and for No. 4 national seed Auburn Tigers, that pitch comes in the familiar confines of Jane B. Moore Field as they prepare to take on Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament. The stakes are sky-high, the storylines are compelling, and the potential for upsets looms large. It’s postseason softball at its finest — passion, pressure, and pride all wrapped into seven innings of heart-pounding play.
As the Tigers sharpen their claws and the Blue Devils bring their tenacity down south, here’s a deep dive into what fans can expect in this compelling regional opener.
Auburn: A Powerhouse With Purpose
The Auburn Tigers, led by head coach Mickey Dean, are entering the NCAA Tournament with momentum and ambition. Ranked No. 4 nationally, they earned the right to host after a stellar regular season that saw them dominate SEC competition and showcase a well-rounded roster stacked with experience, depth, and star power.
Key Contributors:
- Maddie Penta, one of the nation’s premier pitchers, anchors Auburn’s circle. She’s amassed over 250 strikeouts this season and enters the regional as a surefire All-American candidate. Her blend of rise balls, off-speed deception, and pinpoint control makes her a nightmare for opposing batters.
- Ivie Drake, a junior slugger, leads the offense. With a team-high 17 home runs and a .365 batting average, she’s been the heartbeat of Auburn’s lineup. Her ability to come through in clutch moments has fueled the Tigers all year.
- Kaley Love, the senior shortstop, is the defensive linchpin. Her glove work and leadership stabilize Auburn’s infield, while her on-base skills set the table offensively.
Dean’s team doesn’t rely on any one dimension. They’ve pitched shutouts, slugged their way to victory, and won tight contests late. Their versatility and veteran presence are among their biggest weapons heading into this tournament.
CCSU: Cinderella with a Chip on Its Shoulder
On the other side stands Central Connecticut State University, champions of the Northeast Conference (NEC) and a team with nothing to lose. The Blue Devils secured their NCAA berth with a dramatic run through the NEC tournament, defeating LIU Brooklyn and Sacred Heart to punch their ticket.
This is CCSU’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Softball Tournament, making it a historic moment for the program. Head coach Brianna D’Amico, in just her third season at the helm, has already taken the program to new heights. Now, she looks to author one of the tournament’s most unlikely upsets.
Players to Watch:
- Samantha Foster, the Blue Devils’ ace, has been sensational during conference play. Though her numbers may not compare with SEC arms, Foster has shown resilience and control under pressure. She’ll need her best stuff against an Auburn lineup capable of feasting on mistakes.
- Jenna Vasquez, a sophomore catcher, provides both pop and leadership behind the plate. She’s been clutch for CCSU in late-game situations, hitting over .330 and driving in key runs during their tournament run.
- Tiana Santiago, the table-setter, is a speedster who causes havoc when she gets on base. Look for her to test Auburn’s defense with her aggressive baserunning.
Though CCSU enters as a heavy underdog, they’ve embraced that identity. “We’ve fought all year for respect,” D’Amico said. “Now we’re here to show we belong.”
Breaking Down the Matchup
Let’s examine how these two teams stack up across key areas.
1. Pitching
This is Auburn’s clear advantage. Penta headlines a deep pitching staff that includes Annabelle Widra, who has proven herself as a reliable No. 2 option. Together, they’ve helped Auburn boast a team ERA of 1.94, one of the best in the SEC.
CCSU counters with Foster and junior Olivia Bonavita, who pitched well in the NEC tournament. But their ability to navigate a potent SEC lineup over seven innings remains untested.
Edge: Auburn
2. Offense
Auburn’s bats are alive. They hit over 60 home runs as a team and have several hitters with OPS figures north of .900. Whether it’s Drake’s power, Bailey Dowling’s doubles, or Aspen Godwin’s situational hitting, the Tigers have a balanced attack.
CCSU relies more on small ball and opportunistic hitting. Their power numbers are modest, but they execute situationally and steal bases well — over 75 on the season.
Edge: Auburn
3. Defense
Auburn is one of the SEC’s best fielding teams, anchored by Love and a seasoned outfield that commits few errors. CCSU has had moments of shakiness defensively, which could be problematic if Auburn puts pressure on them with aggressive baserunning and bunts.
Edge: Auburn
The X-Factor: Tournament Pressure
One intangible that can’t be quantified is how teams respond to the spotlight. Auburn has experience on this stage. Penta, Love, and other seniors have battled through the NCAA gauntlet before. For CCSU, this is all new. Will they rise to the occasion or be overwhelmed?
That said, sometimes being the underdog frees a team mentally. “We’re going to play loose and have fun,” said Vasquez. “All the pressure’s on them.”
What It Means
For Auburn, this game isn’t just about winning — it’s about sending a message. As a top-four seed with Omaha aspirations, they must dominate early to prove they’re a legitimate national title contender. A sluggish or sloppy performance, even in victory, could raise questions heading into tougher regional and super regional contests.
For CCSU, simply competing can elevate the program’s trajectory. A close game — or dare we say, a shock upset — would ignite national interest and boost recruiting, funding, and visibility.
Coach’s Corner: What They’re Saying
Mickey Dean (Auburn):
“We’re not overlooking anybody. Every team in this tournament earned their way here, and we’ll treat them like any SEC opponent. We’ve got to play Auburn softball — tough, smart, and aggressive.”
Brianna D’Amico (CCSU):
“We respect Auburn, but we don’t fear them. Our girls have fought all season. We didn’t come here for a participation trophy. We came here to compete.”
History and Heartbreak
For Auburn, recent postseason memories are filled with both glory and grief. The Tigers made Women’s College World Series appearances in 2015 and 2016, finishing as runners-up once. But they’ve also had disappointing early exits in 2021 and 2023, losing home regionals to lower-seeded teams.
They’ll be determined not to repeat history.
For CCSU, the history is just being written. Every pitch thrown in this tournament will be etched into program lore. Every inning is a milestone.
The Big Picture
If Auburn wins, they’ll likely face either Cal or UCF in the next round of the regional — both dangerous opponents. But if they lose to CCSU, it would be one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Softball history and throw the regional wide open.
If CCSU shocks the Tigers, it would rank among the tournament’s greatest Cinderella stories, joining the likes of James Madison in 2021 and Louisiana in 2008.
Prediction
Auburn 8, CCSU 1
CCSU will bring fire and pride, and Foster may hold the Tigers in check for a couple innings. But ultimately, Auburn’s firepower and depth should wear them down. Expect a couple long balls, aggressive baserunning, and a dominant outing from Penta to seal the victory.
That said, don’t count out a competitive fight from the Blue Devils — they’ve proven all season they’re capable of rising when it matters most.
