The No. 25 Auburn Tigers traveled up to Columbia this weekend to take on the Missouri Tigers in their first series of conference play. Auburn dropped two games out of three but was able to make some history.
Auburn lost 5-2 in game one and 5-0 in game two before picking up a 4-0 victory in game three.
Auburn was unable to get anything going at the plate in game one, scoring just two runs off of two hits.
Maddie Penta was Auburn's starting pitcher but allowed an uncharacteristic five runs off of six hits in six innings of action.
"We played hard, but they outpitched and outhit us," said Auburn head coach Mickey Dean. "We made two mistakes in the pitching circle, and they capitalized."
Game two saw less offense than game one. Missouri scored all five of its runs in the first two innings.
Shelby Lowe pitched 3.2 scoreless innings for Auburn.
"Our defense let us down in the second inning," Dean said. "It allowed Missouri to set the table for a multi-run home run. We just have to be better at having each other's backs throughout the game when one area may not be performing at the highest level."
Penta pitched again for Auburn on Sunday and tied the program record for wins at 67. She threw seven scoreless innings and struck seven batters out.
A two-run home run over the left field wall by Amelia Lech in the top of the sixth inning, her second long ball of the game, put the game on ice for Auburn.
"We did a nice job of making adjustments at the plate," Dean said. "Our defense played sharp. Maddie hit her spots. We had a game plan that everyone was able to stick with. It ended up being a great day."
Auburn is now 13-4-1 on the season and 1-2 in SEC play.
The Tigers return to action this weekend when they host the No. 18 Arkansas Razorbacks at Jane B. Moore Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT on Friday, 3 p.m. CT on Saturday and 1 p.m. CT on Sunday. Each game can be streamed on SEC Network+. The Auburn Sports Network broadcast for each game can be streamed anywhere on the Auburn Athletics app or heard locally on WEGL 91.1 FM.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.locke@1819news.com.
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