AUBURN — Auburn coach Allyson Collins wanted to get an early lead and her players delivered.

Auburn defeated Lisbon 12-5 on Saturday in the winner’s bracket of the Babe Ruth state 10U softball tournament at Auburn Suburban’s Sweetser Field.

Auburn scored five runs across the first three innings of the five-inning game.

“We got a few runs here, a few runs there,” Collins said “That was our goal, chip away early, and we were able to get a good lead. I knew I had to get several to get my (starting pitcher Addison Collins) out of the game early.”

Since pitchers have an inning limit in the tournament, Allyson Collins wanted to save six innings for Addison for Sunday’s championship round. Auburn advanced to Sunday’s championship game at 10 a.m. and would play again at 4 p.m. if it loses Sunday morning. Auburn hasn’t lost yet in the double-elimination tournament.

Lisbon was playing its third game of the tournament since Friday evening and was set to play its fourth Sunday morning to try and stay alive in the tournament.

“Most of these girls haven’t played that many games in that amount of time,” Lisbon coach Chris Bickford said. “I have my daughter, who’s a travel player, who has, but for the rest of them, this is the first time being exposed to multiple games in a row like that.”

Auburn scored twice in the top of the first inning on passed balls as leadoff hitter Kendall Hill and Audrey Mileikis crossed the plate.

Auburn showed some defense in the bottom of the first by tagging a runner out at the plate on a passed ball to keep the game 2-0.

Auburn scored another pair of runs in the top of the second, highlighted by Hill’s infield single that brought home Hayley Chever from third base.

Lisbon starting pitcher Kaylee Bickford struck out two in the top of the third, but Auburn did score a run to extend the lead to 5-0.

Collins struck out six in a row in the top of the second and third innings.

“Their starter was very good, and she pitched very well,” Chris Bickford said. “She kept us off our game.”

Collins was lifted after the third inning.

The top of the fourth saw Auburn cross the plate seven times to take a 12-0 lead. Hill notched an RBI single and Collins collected a two-run single.

“The top of the order got on base and moved around the bases rather quickly, stole a lot of bases,” Allyson Collins said.

Lisbon got the bats going in the bottom of the fourth. Emily Long drove in Nevaeh Fournier with a double and a Bickford single scored Long. Later in the inning, Bickford stole third and came home as the throw went to left field.

“Emily is our number four (hitter) for a reason: she puts the bat on the ball and makes contact,” Chris Bickford said.

The rally continued in the top of the fifth when June-Anne Curtis walked and came home on a MaKenna Schmou inside-the-park home run to cut the deficit to 12-5.

“They didn’t give up; it’s the best thing, is when you keep swinging,” Chris Bickford said.