AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn's first attempt at clinching the weekend series against South Carolina was spoiled Saturday afternoon as the Tigers fell to the Gamecocks, 10-1, in five innings to even the series.
"We didn't compete," said Auburn head coach Mickey Dean. "You can't just want to compete when you have an opportunity to win a ball game. That's what life is; you have to go out there and compete."
No. 16 South Carolina (30-12, 6-10) struck for three runs in the top of the first inning on a bases-clearing double by Alyssa Kumiyama. The Gamecocks extended their lead to 5-0 the following inning on a two-run home run by Jana Johns. The lead ballooned to 9-0 following two bases-loaded walks, a fielder's choice and an infield single in the third inning.
South Carolina concluded its scoring the following inning with a solo home run by Cayla Drotar, who got her seventh win on the season after scattering three hits over five innings and allowed one run.
The lone Auburn (33-9, 9-5) run came in the bottom of the fourth when Casey McCrackin reached base via a South Carolina fielding error to start the inning. McCrackin then stole second — her 13th stolen base of the season — then moved to third on a groundball off the bat of Kendall Veach. Tannon Snow, the reigning SEC Player of the Week, drove in McCrackin with a single to left field.
Both teams will be looking for the series win when the three-game series concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m.