AUBURN, Ala. – Tagging two earned runs on Lexi Kilfoyl, No. 21/22 Auburn softball (16-4, 0-3 SEC) held No. 4/4 Alabama (22-1, 3-0 SEC) scoreless through four innings, but the Tide scored four unanswered runs to claim the series finale, 4-2, Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field.
The Tigers knocked four hits, including an RBI double from Alyssa Rivera. Auburn's two earned run were the most given up in an outing by Kilfoyl. The Alabama starter had allowed just one earned run through 51.0 innings entering today's game.
"Alabama is one of the top teams in the country," said head coach Mickey Dean. "They are a senior-laden team with a great deal of SEC experience. We're young, but we're going to learn. We're going to get better. What excites me is how good we're going to be by the end of the season."
After two scoreless innings, Lindsey Garcia led off the third with a single to short. Rivera doubled to left center to plate the first run of the inning. Alabama responded with two quick outs, Tyler King beat out an infield single to short for an RBI.
Maddie Penta (6-2) held the Tide scoreless through four innings. Alabama strung together three two-out hits, including the go-ahead blow with a three-run Bailey Dowling home run in the fifth.
Penta tossed 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs. She gave up three walks and struck out five.
KK Dismukes tossed 0.2 innings of relief giving up one hit and one earned run that scored off a KB Sides single up the middle in the top of the sixth. Shelby Lowe tossed the final 1.2 innings of relief for the Tigers, shutting down the Tide. She allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out a pair.
ON DECK
Auburn returns to nonconference play on Wednesday, hosting Alabama State in a midweek tilt. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. CT.
Early offense not enough for No. 21/22 Tigers in Alabama series finale
Lindsey Garcia rounds second and heads to third.