COLLEGE STATION, Texas – A pair of errors plagued Auburn softball (20-12, 2-9 SEC) as Texas A&M (26-10, 5-6 SEC) evened the series with a 4-1 victory at Davis Diamond on Saturday.
Errors in the third and fifth inning allowed two unearned runs to score and cushion the Aggie lead.
"We didn't execute in any of the three phases of the game: offense, defense and pitching," said head coach Mickey Dean. "Our pitching allowed the leadoff runner on 50 percent of the time. Our defense didn't make the routine plays. We were giving their pitcher both side of the plate. She was throwing first-pitch strikes and we never swung."
The Tigers were held to three hits at the plate. Makenna Dowell drove in Auburn's lone run of the game with an RBI single in the fifth. She added a walk in Saturday's contest.
Maddie Penta (6-6) earned the start and went 3.1 innings. She allowed three runs off five hits and three walks. One of the three runs she was charged was unearned. The freshman also struck out three in the outing.
KK Dismukes and Lexie Handley had strong relief appearances for the Tigers. Dismukes tossed 1.2 innings, allowing one unearned run off two hits and a walk. Handley allowed just one hit in her inning of work and struck out a pair.
With two in scoring position after an Auburn error, Texas A&M capitalized and plated two runs in the bottom of the third with a Makinzy Herzog single to left center. The Aggies would load the bases in the fourth with a pair of singles and a walk. Facing her batter in relief, Dismukes would give up a single to third that allowed the Aggies to plate a run.
Speedy Makayla Packer helped manufacture an Auburn run in the fifth. After drawing a one-out walk, Packer would move into scoring position by swiping second. Dowell would knock a two-out single to right to cut the Texas A&M lead to 3-1.
Auburn miscues in the bottom of the fifth allowed Texas A&M to push the lead back to three runs as a passed ball and throwing error at the bag in attempt to throw out the advancing runner would bring home an unearned.
TIGER TRACKS
- Makayla Packer stole her 13th base of the season. She is now tied with Emily Carosone (2013) for the second most stolen bases by a freshman in Auburn history.
ON DECK
The Tigers will go for the series win in Sunday's finale at Davis Diamond. First pitch on the SEC Network+ is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT.