AUBURN — Both sides battled to the end, but it was Georgia who came out on top.
The Auburn Tigers fell 6-5 to the Georgia Bulldogs in 14 innings during their first game of the SEC Softball Tournament.
“We played hard,” said Auburn head coach Mickey Dean. “If we were a little cleaner in the beginning of the game, we might not have played 14 innings. That’s part of the game. We battled. We did a lot of good things. We just didn’t win the ball game.”
Auburn tied the game at two in the top of the third inning and the score stayed put for a long time.
The Tigers broke through in the top of the 14th inning when KK McCrary hit a three-run shot over the wall in right-center field.
Auburn's good fortune would not for long, however, as a three-run home run from Georgia's Jayda Kearney would tie the game and Sarah Gordon hit a solo shot over the wall in left-center field to advance the Bulldogs to the next round.
The Tigers were led at the plate by McCrary, Makayla Packer and Annabelle Widra who each had two hits. Auburn's other two hits belonged to Nelia Peralta and Icess Tresvik.
Maddie Penta got the start for Auburn and had a nine-inning outing in which she allowed two runs off of three hits and struck six batters out while giving up six free passes.
Shelby Lowe pitched the final 4.2 innings and allowed four runs off of eight hits, struck out four batters and walked two.
Auburn is now 27-19-1 on the season and 9-15 in SEC play.
Auburn will find out its NCAA Tournament draw during the Selection Show on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.locke@1819news.com.
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