The third-ranked Auburn Tigers have rallied from deficits several times this season, but they couldn't overcome one disastrous inning at Mississippi State on Saturday. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning and remained in control en route to a 6-3 upset.
All of Mississippi State's (19-7, 1-1 SEC) runs came with two outs.
The Bulldogs' dominant second inning began when Marcy Harper was called for an illegal pitch after striking out Calyn Adams. Adams reached base and ultimately scored on a two-RBI double by Amanda Ivy. A triple by Katie Anne Bailey scored two more runs to make it 4-0. Bailey would then score on another illegal pitch by Harper to extend the lead to 5-0.
In the third inning, Emily Carosone broke perhaps the most painful record in school history, accepting a hit-by-pitch for the 68th time in her career, which ranks among the top 10 in NCAA history. Carosone advanced to third on a single by Kasey Cooper and scored on a groundout to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 5-1.
Senior Lexi Davis relieved Harper to start the third and allowed just three hits and one run in the final five innings.
Auburn found some life in the final frame, scoring two runs and bringing the tying run up to the plate. Cooper delivered an RBI single up the middle to make it 6-2. An error by the third baseman allowed Carlee Wallace to reach base. Jade Rhodes hit an RBI single to make it a three-run game with the tying run at the plate. The Tigers (25-4, 2-3 SEC) couldn't capitalize, however.
The series will be decided in the rubber match on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
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