Seventh-Inning Rally Falls Short as Alabama Drops Series Opener to Auburn, 4-3

Thursday, May 2

Auburn, Ala.

7 p.m. CT

Alabama

32-15, 0

Auburn

26-17-1, 0

Alabama

Auburn

Seventh-Inning Rally Falls Short as Alabama Drops Series Opener to Auburn, 4-3

5/2/2024 9:40:00 PM | Softball

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The Crimson Tide scored three in the top of the seventh and put the tying run in scoring position

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Trailing 4-0 heading to the top of the seventh, Alabama scored three and put the potential tying run at second base but the comeback bid fell just short as Auburn held on to win Thursday's series opener, 4-3.

Alabama (32-15, 9-13 SEC) found itself in an early hole to Auburn (26-17-1, 8-14 SEC) after a two-run home run in the first and the Tigers increased their lead with RBI singles in the second and third. Leading 4-0, Auburn loaded the bases with two out in the fourth but an over-the-shoulder catch in shallow left from Kenleigh Cahalan ended the threat and kept it a four-run game. The Tigers stranded two in scoring position in the fifth and a runner was caught stealing to end the sixth, as it remained 4-0 with the Crimson Tide down to its final three outs in the top of the seventh.

Emma Broadfoot led off the inning with a single and Kali Heivilin sent the next pitch over the fence in center to cut the lead in half at 4-2. Pinch-hitter Lauren Esman then ripped a double to the gap in right, tagged up and moved to third on a fly ball and came home on a dropped fly ball in the outfield. The error allowed the potential tying run to move into scoring position with one out, but a pair of strikeouts ended the rally as Auburn held on for the one-run win.

Highlights

Alabama is now 51-23 all-time vs. Auburn, including a 19-11 mark on the Plains
The Tigers have won the last three meetings with today's loss snapping a three-game win streak for the Tide in Auburn
Kristen White extended her current hitting streak to four games and her reached-base streak to five
Marlie Giles entered as a defensive replacement at catcher in the sixth inning, her first appearance since suffering an injury on March 30 at Kentucky
Kali Heivilin's home run was her sixth of the season, putting her in a four-way tie for the team lead

Scoring Summary

B1 | Amelia Lech hit a two-run home run for Auburn (0-2, 2 Out)
B2 | Rose Roach pulled an RBI single through the right side (0-3, 1 Out)
B3 | Auburn tacked on another with an RBI single through the right side (0-4, 2 Out)
T7 | Kali Heivilin smashed a two-run home run to center (2-4, 0 Out)
T7 | Lauren Esman scored from third on an Auburn fielding error (3-4, 1 Out)

Up Next: at Auburn (Auburn, Ala.)

Friday, May 3 – 5 p.m. CT – SEC Network
Saturday, May 4 – 11 a.m. CT – SEC Network

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