Six-run seventh lifts Auburn softball to walk-off win over No. 13 South Carolina

After a lengthy rain delay suspended the game in the bottom of the seventh, Auburn softball (29-20, 5-17 SEC) stormed back to score six runs to walk-off No. 13 South Carolina (35-12, 10-9 SEC) and take a 7-6 win to open the series Friday at Jane B. Moore Field.

Six-run seventh lifts Auburn softball to walk-off win over No. 13 South CarolinaSix-run seventh lifts Auburn softball to walk-off win over No. 13 South Carolina
Noelle Iglesias/Auburn Tigers
Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. – After a lengthy rain delay suspended the game in the bottom of the seventh, Auburn softball (29-20, 5-17 SEC) stormed back to score six runs to walk-off No. 13 South Carolina (35-12, 10-9 SEC) and take a 7-6 win to open the series Friday at Jane B. Moore Field.

Amelia Lech came through with the game winner as her two-run single secured Auburn’s 20th come-from-behind victory of the season. 

“I’ve never seen something like that in my life,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “Before the rain delay, we were not playing a game we enjoyed. It was like we were playing with this extra baggage on our shoulders. They were having fun as they were warming back up, and it was the first time tonight that they felt that joy. Whatever it was, the switch came back on. When they can do that, it’s dangerous.” 

Lech closed the night with a pair of hits, adding a double to go along with her game winner. Rose Roach went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI. KK McCrary and Nelia Peralta also turned in multi-hit performances for the Tigers. 

South Carolina got its offense going early, loading the bases with one out in the top of the first. An RBI single from Lexi Winters and a sacrifice fly scored a pair of runs. Auburn answered with a bases-loaded situation in the home half but came up empty. 

The Gamecocks added to their lead to in the second. After a pair of singles to lead off the frame, South Carolina moved both runners in scoring position for Karley Shelton. Shelton singled through the right side to push the lead to 4-0.

Auburn answered in the bottom of the inning as Lech led off the with a double to right center. Roach doubled to center field to plate the first Tiger run. Peralta got on board with an infield single to third. She got herself caught up in a pickle between second and first base but kept the play alive long enough for Roach to score and cut the lead to 4-2.

Both teams brought in relievers, which settled down the game. After starter Haley Rainey tossed a scoreless third, SJ Geurin took over in the fourth inning and put zeros on the board for the fourth and fifth innings. 

South Carolina found offense again in the sixth as the Gamecocks connected on a solo home run. The Gamecocks used three singles in the top of the seventh to manufacture a pair of runs to extend their lead to 7-2.

The Tigers jumped on South Carolina starting pitcher Jori Heard as four of their five hits went for extra bases. The Gamecocks brought in Sam Gress in the bottom of the fourth, and she retired seven straight Tigers before McCrary singled in the sixth inning.

A rain delay that lasted one hour and 28 minutes halted the game in the bottom of the seventh, but that reset was exactly what the Tigers needed to rally. 

A Gamecock error led off the contest once it resumed before Roach doubled in the run to cut the lead to 7-3. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for the Tigers. AnnaLea Adams extended her hit streak to eight consecutive games as she singled through the left side to drive in two.

South Carolina recorded the first out of the inning with a fly out to left, but the Tigers responded with an RBI double from McCrary to make it a one-run game. South Carolina elected to intentionally walk Anna Wohlers to load the bases and bring Lech to the plate. She delivered with the two-run single to right field to win the game.

Malayna Tamborra earned the first victory of her career as she was the pitcher on record prior to the delay. Tamborra tossed 1.2 innings of relief for the Tigers. 

UP NEXT

Auburn looks to clinch its third consecutive series win over the Gamecocks on Saturday. First pitch on the SEC Network+ is set for 2 p.m. CT. The Tigers will honor their alumni in attendance as well as the 2015 Women’s College World Series team in a pregame ceremony.



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