April 26, 2006
AUBURN, Ala. - The 19th-ranked Auburn softball team dropped the final game of a three-game set, 9-0, to fourth-ranked Alabama Wednesday at Jane B. Moore Field.
The loss came in six innings as the game was halted after six innings due to the eight-run rule.
Auburn managed just one hit and one walk against Alabama starter and eventual winner Stephanie VanBrakle. Starr Dorsey singled down the left field line to lead off the third inning. Kristina McCain walked to lead off the game for the Tigers.
VanBrakle struck out seven in a complete game effort to improve to 24-4 this season.
Holly Currie started the game for Auburn, allowing four hits and five runs -- just one earned -- in five innings. She struck out four and walked one.
Currie dropped to 16-9 this season.
Of the nine runs allowed by the Tigers, just one was earned as Auburn committed five errors in the game. Alabama scored solo runs in the first and second innings, two more in the fifth inning and five in the sixth to end the game. Jordan Praytor hit a two-run home run in the fifth and finished the game 2 for 4 with four RBI and three runs scored.
The loss puts Auburn at 32-15 overall this season and 13-11 in Southeastern Conference play. The Tigers have already clinched a spot at the SEC Tournament, scheduled for May 11-13 in Athens, Ga. Auburn currently sits as the tournament's sixth seed.
Alabama is 42-8 overall and 20-4 in conference play.
Auburn next visit South Carolina for the Tigers' final road series of the regular season. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. EST. Sunday's solo game begins at 1 p.m. All three games can be heard live on www.auburntigers.com and WZMG-AM (910).
TIGER NOTES: The Tigers wore their white uniforms for the game and they are now 14-7 in them this season ... The first inning was played under a slight drizzle and the entire game was with cloud cover.