After losing two out of three to Alabama at home earlier this season, Auburn softball got revenge Friday afternoon, May 8.
The Tigers snatched a 7-1 victory from the Crimson Tide in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In Auburn’s first semifinals appearance since 2005, the Tigers started off slow with two walks and an up the middle hit from Carlee Wallace to set up Morgan Estell, who then walked to bring in Auburn’s first run. Haley Fagan was then walked as well, bringing in two runs for the Tigers in the top of the first.
After a 1-2-3 strategy for Marcy Harper, Branndi Melero lasered a pitch to right-center to round two more across home base.
At a four-run lead, the Tigers allowed one run from the Tide in the bottom of the third to shorten the deficit to three.
The Tigers' offense stayed on fire as Fagan’s left-side hit allowed Estell to plate at home for Auburn’s fifth run of the afternoon.
On the mound, Harper continued to strike out the Bama batters, keeping the lead at 5-1 and continued her streak as the Tigers headed into the fifth inning.
Back at bat, Jenna Abbott touched first base safely with her hit to bring in Fagan for the team’s sixth run and only run of the fifth.
The Tiger defense continued to stand solid with it’s 31st double play of the season to end a short sixth inning and head back to end the game with a sac fly by Carlee Wallace and three fast outs off of Harper.
Although this game marks a nice win over Auburn’s biggest rival, this game means another record is broken for the Tigers. With this win, Auburn will advance to the SEC Tournament Final for the first time in program history.
Auburn will now face the winner of the Florida-Tennessee game Saturday night, May 9, at 8 p.m.
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