Just days after being named First Team All-SEC, junior Kaylee Carlson starred yet again for Auburn. She fired a complete game shutout, and Kendall Veach launched a game-winning home run in the sixth inning to lead Auburn to a 2-0 victory over Kentucky in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.
“Kaylee’s pitching and Kendall’s timely home run is the reason we are sitting here now,” said Auburn head coach Clint Myers. “I will give credit to the defense, I understand that we turned our 45th or 46th double play. This team is resilient, different hero every night, and they just figure out ways to win. It was fun.”
The game centered on the sixth inning, as the Tigers and Wildcats entered the frame scoreless. Kentucky got two on with only one out, but Carlson got Abbey Cheek to ground into a double play to get out of the jam.
In the bottom of the frame, Carlee Wallace and Haley Fagan recorded two quick outs for the Tigers before Alyssa Rivera worked a two-out walk. The stage was set for Auburn’s powerful first baseman.
Veach launched a 1-2 pitch over the wall in right-center field for her team-leading 12th home run of the year to provide all the offense Carlson and Auburn needed.
“It felt really good. I was just looking for a pitch away from me, and she gave it to me,” Veach said. “I was just wanting to put the barrel on the ball, so that’s what I did.”
Carlson finished the evening with seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits and striking out two. She improved to 26-3 on the season and lowered her ERA to 1.13.
Erin Rethlake (9-5) took the loss for Kentucky, throwing six innings and allowing just two runs on three hits.
No. 2 seed Auburn will take on No. 6 seed LSU in the semifinals at 4:30 p.m. CST on ESPNU.
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