AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn scored 12 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning — when trailing by four — to finish the weekend sweep of Texas A&M, 12-4, and stay perfect in Southeastern Conference play.
The win gives No. 20 Auburn (26-4, 3-0) its best start in SEC play since taking the first seven conference games in 2015. It's also the second time this season the Tigers have had winning streaks of 10-or-more games (11; 2/17/19 - 3/1/19).
"Our hitters did what they are capable of during that inning," said Auburn head coach Mickey Dean. "Now, I know (Texas A&M) walked some batters, but our hitters did what they are capable of. Luckily, Ashlee (Swindle) came in and really kept us in the game. She was masterful. Her and our defense kept us in the ballgame and gave us a chance."
Texas A&M (16-11, 1-5) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Riley Sartain hit a two-run home run that sprung out of Alyssa Rivera's glove and over the fence when Rivera collided with the right-field wall. The Aggies added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, to set the stage for Auburn's offensive outburst.
Rivera led off the inning with an infield single, before scoring from first on a double by Tannon Snow. Kendall Veach was intentionally walked — for the second time this weekend — then a single by Aspyn Godwin loaded the bases.
An errant throw by the Aggies allowed Tan. Snow to slide in safely at home, then Carmyn Greenwood followed with a game-tying single up the middle to play Veach and Godwin.
"I think I've been swinging (the bat) well in practice, but it's tough to put that with in-game action," Greenwood said. "But that's what I've been trying to do and I think (Coach Dean) had trust that it would eventually pay off."
Casey McCrackin, who entered the game as the SEC's hit leader, came through with a two-out, go-ahead single to score Greenwood. From there, the Aggies walked the next four Tiger batters (Rivera, Tan. Snow, Veach and Godwin) to re-load the bases and allow Justus Perry to hit a game-ending grand slam.
It marks the first game-ending grand slam for Auburn since Carlee Wallace hit one against Mississippi State on April 29, 2017. The Tigers will now turn their attention to the Bulldogs for an upcoming three-game weekend series in Starkville, Miss., this weekend.