FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 23 Auburn was on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel at Bogle Park Friday night as No. 20 Arkansas outlasted the Tigers, 1-0, to start the series.
After having scattering five baserunners through the game's first four innings, Auburn (35-16, 10-12) attempted a seventh-inning rally against Arkansas starting pitcher Autumn Storms (19-6) when Taylon Snow beat out a throw for a lead-off single. Brittany Maresette followed by reaching base when Haydi Bugarin missed a tag on Snow then beating out a throw at first base.
But the game-tying and go-ahead runs were left on base as the next three Tigers struck out to end the game.
"Yeah, we got two batters on (base), but you have to execute," said Auburn softball head coach Mickey Dean. "When you have an opportunity to move baserunners, you have to move the baserunners. When you don't do your job, it puts pressure on the person behind you and that builds throughout the game."
After striking out 17 batters during her last time in the circle, Chardonnay Harris (9-4) returned and continued to be dominate as the left-hander threw 91 pitches over 4.2 innings. She scattered six hits, struck out two batters and did not issue a walk. Her lone blemish was a fifth-inning home run to Nicole Duncan, which provided to be the game's only run.
Ashlee Swindle entered the pitching circle in relief of Harris and went the final 1.1 innings and struck out one batter and allowed only one hit after throwing 22 pitches.
Alyssa Rivera had the Tigers' only hit through the game's first six innings when she singled through the left side with two outs in the top of the third. Rivera was one of four Auburn baserunners in the first four innings as Casey McCrackin, Justus Perry and Maresette all reached via Arkansas errors. Tannon Snow reached on a fielder's choice in the first.
The two teams will resume the series on Saturday, May 4 at 5 p.m., with the game being broadcasted on ESPNU and the Auburn Sports Network.