AUBURN, Ala. – KK McCrary slugged a solo home run in the sixth to pull No. 25 Auburn softball (22-14, 0-12) within one, but No. 4 Florida (33-5, 6-3 SEC) held on for a 4-3 win on Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field.
Florida did all its damage in the third inning as Haley Rainey turned in an incredible relief effort in the circle. Rainey tossed four shutout innings and limited the Gators to four hits and a walk while striking out two. SJ Geurin suffered the loss, falling to 15-6 in the circle.
The Tigers totaled four hits on Sunday, including two home runs to plate all four of their runs. Nelia Peralta slugged a two-run home run in the first inning to give Auburn an early lead before McCrary followed up with her solo shot in the sixth.
Auburn took advantage of its free pass in the bottom of the first in a big way. With Icess Tresvik on board with a walk, Peralta capitalized, slugging her seventh home run of the season with a ball off the scoreboard in left center.
The Tiger defense played strong in the first two innings with a pair of double plays, including turning a bases-loaded double play with an out at the plate in the second inning to keep it a 2-0 Auburn lead.
It was defensive miscues by the Tigers that set the Gators up in the top of the third. The Gators got two on board with two infield singles that were aided by lapses by the Tiger defense. Florida loaded the bases with a walk before following with three hits, including a Regan Walsh double, to gain a 4-2 lead.
Auburn sprinkled singles in the fourth and fifth innings from Anna Wohlers and Abbey Smith, respectively, but wouldn’t get on the board again until McCrary connected with her solo blast in the sixth.
Florida brought in Katelynn Oxley after the McCrary home run. The Gator reliever earned the save as she retired the next four Tigers in order to preserve the win.
UP NEXT
Auburn continues SEC play with a road series at Kentucky. Friday’s series opener is set for a 5:30 p.m. CT first pitch on the SEC Network+.