For No. 2 Auburn, a big nonconference series and RPI boost came with a price. The Tigers (42-5, 12-3 SEC) split a doubleheader against No. 7 Florida State (35-5, 13-1 ACC), winning game one 9-6 to extend its school-record winning streak to 17 games and losing game two 4-3 to see that winning streak come to an end.
In the first game of the series, it was Rachael Walters' six-strikeout performance and Emily Carosone's fourth-inning home run ultimately made the difference.
The Seminoles took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Tigers responded an inning later with four runs of their own. With the bases loaded and two outs on board, two-run singles by Tiffany Howard and Kasey Cooper gave Auburn its first lead of the game, 4-1. Cooper has 207 RBI in her career, one short of the school record held by Branndi Melero.
The third inning wasn't quite as kind to Auburn, as FSU stormed back to tie it. A single by FSU's Ellie Cooper and an ensuing error by Tiffany Howard led to one run. A double by Zoe Casas that was just too high for Carosone to haul in led to the tying runs.
With the bases loaded and only one out on board, starting pitcher Kaylee Carlson was relieved by Walters, who escaped the jam with back-to-back strikeouts and ultimately earned the win to improve her record to 8-2.
An error on a throw to first base by Walters led to an FSU run that gave the Seminoles a 5-4 lead. It was their last lead of the game, as Carosone launched a three-run shot to give Auburn the lead for good, 7-5. Carosone is third on the team with 11 home runs this season.
In the sixth, Auburn added two more runs, both on Seminole errors with two outs on board. Both errors were committed by FSU's first baseman, though the second error was a line-drive hit that went between her legs and was only an error in technicality. By the end of the frame, the Tigers were up 9-5 and well on their way to consecutive win No. 17.
In the final frame, FSU's Jessica Warren pulled her team within three runs with her fifth homer of the season, but the Seminoles could get no closer.
The second game lacked the explosiveness of the first game, but was still thrilling, especially late in the contest.
Auburn scored first after Carosone stole third base and an errant throw allowed her to coast to home plate. FSU's Carsyn Gordon scored on a fielder's choice in the second, tying the game at 1-1.
The scoring between the two teams would cease until the fifth inning, when a single by Gordon gave the Seminoles the lead for good, 2-1. Starting pitcher Makayla Martin was relieved by Marcy Harper, whose record fell to 6-3.
The sixth inning was when the bats heated up, as both teams hit two-run homers. Casas increased FSU's lead to 4-1, but Madi Gipson responded in the bottom of the frame with her own two-run shot to cut it to 4-3.
Carosone opened the final inning with a double, but that was the end of Auburn's comeback attempt.
"I thought we were going to win two (games), we were in a good situation. Unfortunately, we just didn't get the job done," Auburn coach Clint Myers said after the second game. "If you want to be a national champ, you've got to be able to win those types of games."
The two teams split last season's doubleheader in Tallahassee, Florida, as well, as FSU won the first game 10-7 while Auburn won the second game 10-4.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
