AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn softball (26-18, 6-14 SEC) put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, but No. 18 Tennessee (37-8, 10-7 SEC) held on to take game two of the series, 3-2, at Jane B. Moore Field on Saturday.
With two on with two out, pinch hitter Maia Engelkes knocked a single to shallow let to cut the Lady Volunteers' lead to one, but Ashley Rogers picked up the save in relief with a strikeout to end the game.
The Tigers picked up four hits on Saturday. Maddison Koepke had the big swing of the game with a solo home run, her first of the season and the second of her career.
"Our hitters did a nice job of hitting the ball hard," said head coach Mickey Dean. "Tennessee just made the plays."
Maddie Penta earned the start and was tagged with the loss, falling to 8-8 on the season. In her 2.1 innings, she gave up three runs off five hits. Only two of Penta's three runs where earned. Penta struck out two in the outing.
Showing out on her senior day, Lexie Handley turned in her most dominating appearance performance of the season. Handley did not allow a single a run in her 4.2 innings of work. She gave up just two hits and a walk. She struck out a season high six.
After a scoreless first, Tennessee led off the top of the second with a Chelsea Seggern double to right field. Ally Shipman singled back to the pitcher to put two on. Shipman swiped second, but an Auburn fielding error on the play allowed a run to score. A Kiki Milloy sacrifice fly to right pushed the Tennessee lead to 2-0.
Three straight singles for the Volunteers pushed across a third run in the third, forcing the Tigers to bring in Handley. Handley fanned the first two batters she faced to retire the side. Handley tossed a clutch sixth inning for the Tigers as well, striking out two with the bases loaded to keep the Lady Vols off the board.
Auburn got one back in the bottom of the fifth with Koepke's solo home run to left field.
Makenna Dowell led off the sixth with a single up the middle to bring the tying run to the plate, but a Tennessee double play killed the Tiger rally.
Again, the Tigers rallied in the seventh, getting two on board with a UT error and a hit by pitch. Engelkes came through with a single to left field to drive in Lindsay Garcia. Another Tennessee error allowed Engelkes and pinch runner Denver Bryant to move up another 60 feet to put the tying and winning run in scoring position, but Rogers shut the door for her third save of the season.
In a special pregame ceremony, Auburn honored the 2021 senior class which featured Handley, Dowell, Tyler King, Jadia Jones and Abby Tissier. The class won over 120 games for the Tigers and have made two NCAA Regional appearances.
ON DECK
Auburn's home finale is set for 1 p.m. CT and will be available on the SEC Network+. The Tigers will honor the 2020 senior class in a pregame ceremony.
Tigers put up fight in game two against No. 18 Lady Vols; 2021 senior class honored
The 2021 Auburn Senior Class: Jadia Jones, Abby Tissier, Tyler King, Lexie Handley and Makenna Dowell were honored in a pregame ceremony.