Following No. 18 Auburn's (21-5, 1-2 SEC) first loss to No. 19 Georgia (20-6, 2-1 SEC), the second game of the doubleheader featured extra innings, where the Bulldogs hung on to win the game in walk-off fashion in the 10th inning to sweep the doubleheader and win the series.
The offense for Auburn struggled to find any momentum against Georgia's Madison Kerpics in Saturday's opener as the Bulldogs tied the series by taking the first game of Saturday's doubleheader 5-0. The Tigers jumped to a 4-0 lead on Saturday’s series finale in the first inning, but the Bulldogs made their way back to force extra innings before walking off in the 10th to win 5-4.
"The difference was we didn't finish some innings out on defense and in the circle," said head coach Mickey Dean. "We had opportunities when we had two outs in the inning, but we didn't just end the inning. When you jump on a team early, you have a chance to build. We didn't do any building. It is lessons learned. Those are things we can get better at and continue to work on. It was two great teams going at it."
At the plate, Makayla Packer led Auburn over the doubleheader with a 3-for-6 endeavor at the plate, adding a walk and a run scored. Bri Ellis came up with three hits, including a double, on Saturday that included a walk.
Striking first was the Bulldogs in game two of the series. Opening the inning scoreless, Georgia slugged back-to-back, two-out doubles to score the first run of the game. Limiting the damage was Auburn's KK McCrary, swindling a hit with a diving catch in left to end the side.
Georgia built up its lead in the third with a two-run home run while coming up with another insurance run in the fourth with an RBI single to right field. The final run of the game for Georgia came in the sixth, scoring on a wild pitch.
Auburn's offense was detained to a pair of singles from Denver Bryant and Jessie Blaine and two walks in the opening contest Saturday.
Shelby Lowe was selected to start in the circle for the Tigers. Lowe (2-3) allowed three runs off five hits and a walk through three innings. Emmah Rolfe and Annabelle Widra combined for three innings of relief. The duo both gave up a pair of hits and were each handed a run. Rolfe's performance marked her SEC debut.
After recording one of Auburn's two walks in the opening contest and leading off game two with a single in Saturday’s doubleheader, Nelia Peralta increased her reached base streak to 26 consecutive games.
Peralta managed her way to third, tagging up on a foul out and proceeding to third on a wild pitch. An error by Georgia on a throw to second during a steal attempt from pinch runner Skylar Elkins allowed Peralta to score.
McCrary extended the lead to 2-0 with an RBI to left center before Carlee McCondichie came up with the big hit of the inning, scoring two with a double to right center. Georgia got one run back in the home half, putting together a pair of singles and a stolen base to add a run on the board.
Georgia sliced Auburn's lead to 4-2 with a solo home run in the third inning. Auburn hung onto its 4-2 lead until the seventh inning as Georgia evened the game at 4-4 with a two-run home run.
Auburn had chances in extra innings, adding a runner on in the eighth, ninth and 10th inning, but could not take advantage of it late. Georgia walked the game off in the 10th thanks to Jayda Kearny, who hit a two-out solo home run.
Maddie Penta pitched the entire 9.2 innings in the circle for the Tigers, experiencing her first loss of the year. She struck out six batters in the contest.
The Tigers return to action against nonconference opponents next weekend for another top-25 test as Auburn takes on the Omni Hall of Fame Classic at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Auburn will compete against Weber State, No. 24 Northwestern and No. 1 Oklahoma over five games.
Auburn will open the tournament on Friday with a doubleheader against Northwestern and Weber State. First pitch is clocked for 11 a.m. CST.
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William Halliday started with The Plainsman in fall 2022. He is a journalism major from Memphis, Tennessee.
Twitter: @wphalliday3
