FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 23 Auburn was on the right side of a one-run game for 5.1 innings, but a throwing error followed by five hits changed the outcome as No. 20 Arkansas came from behind to win Saturday's contest, 7-1, and claim the weekend series.
Ashlee Swindle (9-8) kept the Razorbacks (37-17, 11-12) at bay for five full innings as she allowed no more than two hits in a single inning and retired Arkansas in order during two different innings. She worked around lead-off single in the bottom of the first, two one-out singles in the third and a one-out walk in the fourth.
"She did a good job the first five innings," said Auburn softball head coach Mickey Dean.
During that span, Auburn (35-17, 10-13) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Casey McCrackin singled home Rachel Cook, who pinch ran for Justus Perry, from second. Perry was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bree Fornis.
"I thought, that inning, we moved the runner and ended up getting that hit and scoring her," Dean said.
Perry led off the inning by being hit by a pitch for the 14th time this season, which ties her with Sarah Orozco (2000) for the eighth most times hit by pitches in a single season. She also tied Baylee Stephens (2010-13) for the seventh most times hit by a pitch in a career with 23.
Arkansas responded in the bottom of the sixth when Carley Haizlip scored on an Auburn throwing error to tie the game. Ryan Jackson gave the Razorbacks the lead with a go-ahead, bases-clearing double with two outs in the inning. Arkansas added three additional runs on two more hits.
Auburn and Arkansas will wrap up the series on Sunday, May 5 at 1 p.m. CT.