PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Bringing the go-ahead run to the plate in the top of the seventh, Auburn softball's (9-6) comeback attempt fell short to No. 5 Arizona (12-3) as the Wildcats held on for a 2-0 victory Saturday at the Big League Dreams Complex to round out the third day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
Junior Tyler King led off the seventh with an infield single to bring the top of the order to the plate. After a Wildcat error, Arizona turned two but elected to intentionally walk senior Tannon Snow. A grounder back to the pitcher silenced the Tiger comeback.
Auburn had its chances, outhitting the Wildcats with four hits to two. The Tigers couldn't string anything together to plate a run, leaving 10 on base.
King led the Tigers at the plate, recording a multi-hit outing with two singles. Snow and sophomore Aspyn Godwin also drew hits against the Wildcats.
It was an impressive performance by Auburn's pitching staff in the loss. Redshirt junior Lexie Handley (2-2) tossed three innings, allowing two hits and three walks. She struck out four in the contest. Handley allowed just one earned run.
Senior Ashlee Swindle tossed the final three innings in relief. She was untouchable, not allowing a hit or issuing a walk in the appearance.
Both of Arizona's runs were scored on sacrifice flies.
SCORING RECAP
Bottom 3
Janelle Meono used her sped to beat out an infield single to third. An on-target throw to second on a stolen base attempt was mishandled, allowing Meono to advance to third. Alyssa Palomino plated the unearned run with a sacrifice fly to center.
Auburn 0; Arizona 1
Bottom 4
Sharlize Palacinos drew a leadoff walk and forced Auburn to make a pitching change, bringing in Ashlee Swindle. A second walk of the inning moves Palacinos to second. A fly ball to right allowed Palacinos to tag up and advance to third. She would come around to score off a sacrifice fly to right from Ivy Davis.
Auburn 0; Arizona 2
TIGER TRACKS
Lexie Handley – Matched season high with four strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Auburn closes out the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Sunday against reigning national champion No. 1 UCLA. First pitch against the Bruins is set for 11 a.m. CT.