March 25, 2018
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AUBURN, Ala. - No. 11 Auburn softball took care of business at home Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field, defeating the 19th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 6-4 to sweep the series. It is the first home series sweep vs. a ranked SEC team for the Tigers since April 2016 vs. No. 13 Georgia.
Auburn improved to 31-6, 5-4 in SEC play and picked up their sixth-straight win. It is also their 10th-straight win over the Wildcats.
The Tiger bats found their rhythm after a low-scoring affair in Saturday's contest, as the team tallied six runs on seven hits. Junior Casey McCrackin led the way at the plate in a 2-for-3 performance that included a first inning solo homerun to dead center to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage. The Pensacola, Fla. product finished with two RBI, giving her six multi-RBI games this season.
"It was really a great game overall for everyone," McCrackin said. "We kept battling and picking up our pitcher when she needed it, so it was really great all around."
Chardonnay Harris got her first SEC start in the circle and tossed 3.0 innings allowing two runs on two hits while striking out five. Makayla Martin relieved her in the top of the fourth and went the distance to pick up her 12th win of the season (12-3). The San Diego, Calif. product allowed six hits and two runs over 65 pitches.
"It's the third game of the series and you never know what you're going to get," head coach Mickey Dean said. "That was two teams battling right there. Neither team was giving in. The pitchers worked hard. They may not have had their best stuff, but I've always told our pitchers that any pitcher can go out when they have their good stuff and win a game, but it takes a great pitcher to go out and win when you don't have your best stuff. I thought our pitchers did great."
Kentucky (19-9, 2-6 SEC) answered back in the top of the third with a two-run homerun to take a 2-1 lead, however it was short-lived as Auburn plated three runs in the bottom of the third on a pair of singles by McCrackin and Kendall Veach and on a fielder's choice to regain a 4-2 advantage.
The Wildcats got one back in the fourth on a RBI groundout, but Morgan Podany stepped up in the home half of the inning to preserve the lead with a RBI single. Seeking insurance in the sixth, Auburn turned to Alyssa Rivera, who sent Auburn's second homerun of the day over the wall in center to seal the win.
Kentucky starter Grace Baalman (10-4) was charged with the loss after giving up four runs and four hits. The Wildcats were led at the plate by Bailey Vick, who was 3-for-4 in the box.
Auburn heads to Oxford, Miss. Friday-Sunday for a three-game series with the Ole Miss Rebels. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on SEC Network .