March 11, 2007
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Holly Currie hit her fifth home run of the season and scattered three hits over seven innings, but the Auburn softball team lost the series finale to Kentucky, 2-1, Sunday the UK Softball Complex.
Currie's home run, a solo shot, sailed over the left field fence in the fourth inning and pulled to the Tigers to within one, 2-1. But Auburn could not manufacture another run and dropped to 13-13 overall this season and 2-1 in Southeastern Conference play.
"That was a tough way to end the series," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "But we will build on this weekend as we look toward a doubleheader with Georgia Tuesday."
Kentucky's only runs came in the second. Becky Bishop, who hit a home run Saturday, cleared the right field fence, hitting the scoreboard for a two-run shot. It was the only blemish of the game for Currie, who worked six innings and struck out eight. She dropped to 5-6 this season.
The Tigers threatened in both the third and fifth innings. Jorja Bell reached on a single to begin the third. Brittany Scott pinch ran for Bell and advanced to third when Brooke Marnitz sailed the ball into the first base dugout after a line out by Nicole Russo. Ashley Arcuri then flied out to left, and Scott was caught at the plate in a close call.
Bell and Russo nearly tied it for the Tigers in the fifth. Bell began the inning for Auburn and hit a shot to left field that was barely foul. Russo, after Bell flied out to right, missed hitting her first home run of the season, sailing the ball just a few feet foul over the left field fence.
Amber Matousek started and worked all seven innings for Kentucky (13-7, 1-2 SEC), striking out five while walking three. She scattered four hits to improve to 5-0 this season.
Auburn returns home for the first time since Feb. 18 when it hosts Georgia Wednesday in a doubleheader at Jane B. Moore Field. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. CT, with live stats and live audio available by visiting www.auburntigers.com. Tune into WZMG-AM (910) to listen to Nathan Ealy and Ben Taylor call the action.
Tiger Notes: The Tigers wore their blue uniforms for the game and are now 6-5 in them this season ... The game marked the end 14 straight road games for the Tigers, who went 8-6 during the trip ... The road trip was the second longest in team history, trailing the 1997 club that played 16 straight away from home ... Ashley Arcuri's fifth-inning double gave her one in three straight games and four of her last five ... Holly Currie's fourth-inning home run gave her a team-leading five this season ... However, of Currie's five home runs, four have been solo shots.