AUBURN, Ala. – Behind a massive six-run fourth inning, No. 19 Auburn softball (25-2, 4-1 SEC) made a statement at the plate to even the series against South Carolina (18-9, 2-3 SEC) as Auburn came-from-behind to run rule the Gamecocks, 11-2, Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field.
"Today we played as a team instead of as nine individuals," head coach Mickey Dean said. "We've got to keep that rolling if we want to win the series tomorrow."
Once again, it was freshman Jessie Blaine that wreaked havoc on the Gamecock pitching staff. Blaine went 2-for-3 at the plate as she delivered her second three-run home run of the series. Blaine led the team with four RBI and scored a pair of runs.
For the series, Blaine is hitting .571 at the plate with two home runs, a double and eight RBI.
"I really just wanted to loosen up and have some fun this weekend," Blaine said. "We had a great showing our last SEC series, and we wanted to keep that energy going into this weekend. We were down after yesterday, but we knew that we had the ability to come in today and turn the tide around."
Doing damage up and down the lineup, eight of Auburn's nine starters recorded a hit in Sunday's contest. Sophomore Denver Bryant also turned in a multi-hit performance as she went 2-for-3 with a home run three RBI. Freshman Bri Ellis slugged her team-leading ninth home run of the season.
Junior KK Dismukes earned the victory in relief for the Tigers. The win was the first of the season for Dismukes and her first career victory in SEC play. Dismukes held South Carolina to just two hits in her three innings of relief while striking out one.
The Tigers stuck first as freshman Nelia Peralta doubled home freshman Rose Roach in the bottom of the first. South Carolina evened the score in the top of the second, using an Auburn error off a throw to first to plate an unearned run.
With two on via a walk and hit by pitch, the Gamecocks took a 2-1 advantage with an RBI single from Maddie Gallagher.
With sophomore Makayla Packer and Peralta on with singles, Blaine put the Tigers in front with a three-run homer to center field. Ellis pushed the lead to 5-2 with solo shot to center of her own.
A massive two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth propelled the Tigers to the run-rule victory. With Packer reaching via a walk, Blaine cleared the bases with a single through the left side. Auburn loaded the bases with a single from junior Lindsey Garcia and an intentional walk issued to Ellis.
Senior Aspyn Godwin pushed the Tiger lead to 8-2 with a two run single through the left side. Bryant cleared the bags with a three-run home run to center to secure the 11-2 advantage.
Dismukes slammed the door in the top of the fifth as she retired the side in order.
UP NEXT
Auburn goes for the series victory on Monday. The series finale on the SEC Network is set for 6 p.m. CT. It is Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at Jane B. Moore Field as Auburn faculty and staff can receive discounted tickets and concession vouchers.