Not much could top the 12-11 victory in extra innings against the Ragin’ Cajuns Friday afternoon, May 22, except a second win, complete with a trip to the Tiger’s first Women’s College World Series.
Through team effort, quality at bats and the extra effort from third baseman Kasey Cooper, the Tigers made this dream a reality.
“I couldn’t be more proud of them," coach Clint Myers said. “When we started this thing two years ago, we said we’re going to the College World Series. They’re believers, and again … it’s not a goal to get to the College World Series, it’s an expectation, and I think that these young ladies, the very first ones to ever do it, are going to be the starting point for something very good here at Auburn.”
Auburn grabbed the lead early this time in the first after Kasey Cooper pulled out a double to right field.
After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Branndi Melero tapped the ball and made it to first safely, bringing in Cooper for one.
The Ragin’ Cajuns responded in the bottom of the first off a single with bases loaded to tie the game 1-1, but it stayed a tie when the Cajuns left bases loaded.
The tie didn’t break until the bottom of the second in the Cajuns advantage, who took the lead by one, 2-1.
On defense, starting in the bottom of the third, the Tigers made their second double play out of four on the Cajuns, recording 35 for this season alone to lead the SEC.
“It didn’t really sink in till after the game, but those ground balls wouldn’t have been possible if Lexi (Davis) wasn’t pitching,” Cooper said. “We go over double plays everyday, we work on throws because you can't turn it into a double play without good throws. Our defense was on, so we had a great day.”
With the bases loaded off two bunt-singles from Haley Fagan and Jade Rhodes, and a solid mid-field grounder from Morgan Estell, the Tigers loaded the bases for Jenna Abbott.
Abbott nailed a sacrifice grounder to bring in Fagan and threw the game into another tie, 2-2.
Although the Tigers fought to share the lead, they left bases loaded, recording 0-for-17 since the SEC Championship game against Tennessee.
Defense continued to stand strong in the bottom of the fourth with the Tiger’s third double play in four innings under the incentive of Cooper at third, avoiding the threat from the Cajuns who had bases loaded.
Not long after, Emily Carosone tagged second and sent the ball to first for Auburn’s fourth double play of the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Headed into the sixth and still tied at 2, Alex Stewart served two illegal pitches, making it her fourth of the game, and Estell advanced from first to second and then to third.
Stewart then dished a wild pitch, and Estell made a run for home to take the lead for the Tigers, 3-2.
The Tigers weren’t one up for long when Cooper slammed the first home run of the afternoon over the left field wall off an outside rise ball, bringing in three runs to secure the lead, 6-2.
“I heard some of the coaches yelling from the dugout, and then I saw that she didn’t catch it, so I was hoping it was over,” Cooper said.
Lexi Davis got caught in a slump in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases for the Cajuns, who walked in to score one run.
“It’s hard not to let the adrenaline get to you,” Davis said. “The biggest thing I’ve been trying to work on is slowing the game down in my mind and not letting everything get to me.”
The Tigers maxed runs at six in the top of the seventh after Rhodes popped one up to end the inning, leaving Estell on first.
With three outs to go, Estell snatched a catch in center field for the first, and Carosone grabbed the second.
Carosone then grounded a hit to Rhodes for the third and final out to send the Tiger to their first NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
“My first thought was ‘Who am I going to go hug first?’” Estell said. “I remember sitting down in the very beginning and saying ‘We’re going to do something special’ and ever since then, it’s something that we expected. We’re not done yet, and I ‘m ready to go kick some butt there.”
Myers made an ending statement on his gratitude toward the growing support of Auburn fans over the last season.
“A couple people you always have to thank,” Myers said. “Number one, the fans in Auburn have been phenomenal. The fans of Auburn … have made my life, have made these girls’ lives. The support has been outstanding."
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