No. 23 Auburn softball comes up short in series finale at No. 2 Texas

No. 23 Auburn softball (21-11, 0-9) came out strong with a 2-0 lead in the first inning but No. 2 Texas (31-2, 5-1) overcame the deficit to overthrow the Tigers 13-2 at Red and Charline McCombs Field on Sunday.

“We don’t have enough right now to go against a team like Texas,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “They had seen everything we had, so there were no surprises. We were outmatched. It is as simple as that. We had some good at-bats here and there, but not enough. SJ (Geurin) can only do so much. We need others to step up. We’re still on that journey and trying to figure that out.” 

On the mound, the Tigers utilized three pitchers throughout the game. SJ Geurin got the start and suffered the loss to fall to 14-5 on the season. Haley Rainey and Chalea Clemmons also saw action for the Tigers. 

Similar to Saturday, Auburn took the lead early with a quick burst in the first inning. Icess Tresvik reached base with a lead off walk and Nelia Peralta connected with the ball for a centerfield homer, her sixth of the season, bringing the score to 2-0. 

Bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the second inning cost the Tigers, allowing the Longhorns to score nine runs off a walk, sacrifice fly, four singles and a home run to take a 9-2 lead.

Texas added another run in the third inning when a runner walked with two outs before scoring on a single. The Longhorns harnessed four hits and a sac fly in the fourth to score three runs and increase the lead to 13-2. 

Auburn persisted in the batter's box when AnnaLea Adams singled in the fourth inning, her fifth hit of the series, but the Tigers were unable to push in any more runs to cut into the lead.

UP NEXT

Auburn’s road swing continues Wednesday with a midweek contest against in-state opponent Troy. First pitch at the Troy Softball Complex is set for 6 p.m. CT. and will be available on ESPN+.