CLEMSON, S.C. – In an elimination contest, No. 17 Auburn (40-17) rallied in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to one run, but Louisiana (47-12) held on for a 4-3 victory Saturday night at McWhorter Stadium to advance to the Clemson Regional finale and end Auburn's season.
The Tigers concluded 2022 with the program's first 40-win season since 2018. Behind its improved offense, Auburn closed the season with top-five program season performances in team batting average, slugging percentage, runs scored, triples, home runs, RBI and total bases. The Tigers' .557 slugging percentage was the second highest in a season in school history while their home run total finished third.
"We battled," said head coach Mickey Dean. "The difference in the game was that our extra-base hits were doubles and theirs were home runs. There is a lot of strength in this team and a lot to look forward to. It is a bright future. I am proud of this team. We are only going to get better."
Auburn struck early in the game to set the tone. With two on with two outs, freshman Nelia Peralta singled to shallow left center to bring home junior Carlee McCondichie, giving Auburn a 1-0 lead after the first inning. The Tigers added to the lead in the top of the second as junior Lindsey Garcia drove in a run with her sixth sacrifice fly of the season.
Garcia closed her junior campaign third in Auburn single-season history with her six sacrifice flies and will enter her senior campaign tied for fifth in program history with eight career sacrifice flies.
Auburn's pitching staff were unable to keep Louisiana's power offense inside the park as the Ragin' Cajuns tied with game with a pair of solo home runs from Melissa Mayeux and Jourdyn Campbell. Louisiana took a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning with a two-run blast from Stormy Kotzelnick.
The Tigers had a chance late as sophomore Kelsey Schmidt put a bow on her 3-for-3 performance at the plate by leading off the seventh with a double to left center. An error by the Ragin' Cajuns moved Schmidt and McCondichie both into scoring position. Freshman Bri Ellis but the lead to 4-3 with a sacrifice fly to deep left field. Freshman Jessie Blaine put a charge into a ball to left field, but Louisiana was able to run it down.
Joining Schmidt with a multi-hit performance was Peralta, who added a double in the sixth inning. Peralta ended her rookie campaign with the third most doubles by a freshman in program history.