By one mere run, the Tigers took the Saturday, May 16, win against South Alabama to advance to the NCAA Regional Championship game with the help of shortstop Haley Fagan’s 13th home run of the season and Marcy Harper’s execution on the pitcher’s mound.
Defense started the game off strong, forcing South Alabama to leave two runners on base.
Jade Rhodes grabbed the out on first before the Jaguars crossed the plate to keep the scoreboard empty.
“We had a different game plan after the first inning than what we originally started with,” Harper said. “I think I’m getting hot at the right time, and I’m trying not to worry about so much, just go out there and perform.”
In the batter’s box, the Tigers could not score as the Jaguars had a 1-2-3 inning.
Auburn had three quick outs in the top of the second but struggled to plate any runs again, and the Jaguar defense kept the score frozen.
The defensive battle continued throughout the third inning, and the game remained tied at zero.
Starting the bottom of the fourth, Emily Carosone grabbed the first hit for the Tigers with a single to right field.
Although it showed some promise for a run, the next three batters were forced out, and Auburn faced a fourth straight scoreless inning.
“We’ve kind of fell off a little bit,” Fagan said. “But I think every team has to go through a period where they’re not swinging as well, but we’re right there. We’re one swing away from starting a rally.”
It wasn’t until the bottom of the fifth when Haley Fagan nailed a homer against her former team, and brought the Tigers to a 1-0 lead with the only run of the game.
“I have nothing but respect for those players, that program, but I’m a competitor,” Fagan said. “I wanted to win as much as they did and we came out on top.”
With Auburn’s confidence back, Whitney Jordan managed a single to third base, forcing Rhodes out at second, but Tiffany Howard was able to walk soon bringing two Tigers back on base. Carosone then stepped up to hit a high fly ball, but it was caught for the third out.
To start the sixth, South Alabama mustered a third base position with a sac fly, but the Tigers avoided the threat with a foul caught behind the plate by Carlee Wallace to end the half-inning.
A run ahead, the Tigers were able to make hits, but not many plays as Cooper, Rhodes and Wallace were tagged out one after the other to conclude the sixth.
Three outs from advancing in the NCAA Regional, the Tigers put the outs up and away to end it and advance to the NCAA Regional Championship Sunday, May 17, at noon.
“Our best softball is ahead of us," coach Clint Myers said. “They’re a better ballclub than they show. One of these days, it’s going to break loose and when it does, it’s going to be beautiful to watch, and I hope it’s tomorrow.”
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