A grand slam by McKenzie Kilpatrick and another solid performance by Lexi Davis proved not enough for the Tigers as they fell to Minnesota 8-6, eliminating Auburn from NCAA Tournament play.
The Tiger held a 6-5 lead going into the 6th inning of the decisive game before the Gophers' Sam Macken hit a 3-run home run to give the hosts the final margin of victory.
Auburn was playing their fourth game in two days, each being an elimination game.
In the first inning, Minnesota took advantage of two illegal pitch calls to take the lead 1-0 on an infield single.
Madi Gipson, at the plate for the Tigers as a pinch-hitter in the 2nd inning, hit a blooper over the third baseman's head, scoring two as Auburn took a 2-1 lead.
After Minnesota answered with two runs to take a 3-2 lead, Kilpatrick hit a 3-2 pitch over the left-field fence to give the Tigers a 6-3 lead.
Macken's heroics would not have been necessary had it not been for Jenna Abbott's heroics in the first game of the day.
Abbott hit a walk-off home run to center field in the first game to give the Tigers the 4-3 win and force the decisive game.
The Tigers were fighting for a spot in next week's Super Regional, which will be hosted by top-ranked Oregon.
Under first year coach Clint Myers, Auburn finished with a 42-19-1 record, tied for the second most wins in program history.
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.
