AUBURN, Ala. – Trailing by a run in the sixth inning, No. 16 Auburn softball (39-10, 11-9 SEC) scored two runs to complete the 4-3 come-from-behind victory to clinch the series over No. 15 Georgia (38-13, 10-10 SEC) Saturday at Jane B. Moore Field.
"I've been waiting for that outing from KK Dismukes," said head coach Mickey Dean. "I know she has been as well. I am so proud of her. I could see the confidence growing every inning. She trusted what she does and who she is. It was awesome to watch."
Georgia jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind a wild pitch and solo home runs from Lacey Fincher and Mackenzie Puckett. Junior KK Dismukes buckled down and shut the Bulldogs out over the final three innings in her first complete-game performance in Southeastern Conference play. The right-hander fanned a pair as she improved to 6-2 on the season.
"All season we have been struggling with our pitching staff staying healthy," said Dismukes. "I knew that at any point it could be my time. I'm not used to starting games, so I think that's why I got stronger as we went later in the game."
Auburn was held scoreless until the fourth inning. Junior Carlee McCondichie slapped a hit back to the circle, beating out the play for an infield single before taking second on a wild pitch. Junior Lindsey Garcia drove in the first Tiger run of the game with a double to left field.
With a pair of walks to load the bases, Georgia lifted starting pitcher Laurent Mathis for Riley Orcutt.
Orcutt fielded a line drive to record the second out of the inning. Freshman Nelia Peralta grounded a ball back to the circle. Orcutt tossed to third to attempt the force out, but sophomore Makayla Packer beat the throw. With all hands safe, Garcia scored to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Tigers led off the sixth inning with back-to-back walks. Freshman Bri Ellis doubled off the wall in left field, driving in Packer to tie the game at 3-3. Peralta put the Tigers in front as her fly ball to deep center allowed Blaine to tag and score from third.
"It was a roller coaster of emotions for me tonight," said Ellis. "I was putting way too much pressure on myself and doing everything I wasn't supposed to in the box. I told myself in the middle of my last at-bat that I had to do this for my team. The team needs me right now. Just hit the ball, and I did."
Dismukes was all business in the late innings as she closed the game, retiring 10 consecutive Bulldogs.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will go for the series sweep on Sunday. First pitch on the SEC Network+ is set for 1 p.m. CT. Auburn will honor its two seniors Aspyn Godwin and Samantha Yarbrough in a special pregame ceremony.
