AUBURN, Ala. –It was another dramatic performance at Jane B. Moore Field for No. 21 Auburn softball (25-9, 4-2 SEC) as Denver Bryant walked off a 2-1 win over Missouri (20-14, 1-8 SEC) Monday evening.
Bryant secured Auburn's first series sweep in school history over Missouri and the team's first sweep of the 2023 SEC slate.
"All I could do was make sure I got on base for my teammates," Bryant said. "We can take this momentum and keep going, keep winning. We can take this thing as far as we want to."
Locked in a tied game in the bottom of the seventh, Aubrie Lisenby sparked the rally with a one-out walk. Bri Ellis moved the go-ahead run into scoring position with a single through the left side. On the second pitch of her at bat, Bryant singled to right field to drive in pinch runner Abbey Smith for the second straight walk off for Auburn.
"Tonight, you saw two good teams battling," head coach Mickey Dean. "Our kids certainly battled. I challenged them in the last two innings to play with some more confidence. As each player starts to grow their confidence, good things will continue to happen."
The Tigers scattered seven hits throughout Monday's finale. Senior Lindsey Garcia hit a milestone with her 100th hit of her collegiate career. Jessie Blaine capitalized with a sacrifice fly to right center to give Auburn the first-inning lead and picked up Auburn's other RBI of the contest.
Turning in another strong performance in the circle, Maddie Penta (12-4) went the distance. Penta tossed a one-hitter, giving up a home run to Payton Jackson in the third inning. Penta struck out eight and issued four walks. Going on a streak of retiring 10 consecutive batters, Penta kept the game locked to give the Tigers a chance late.
Auburn returns to midweek action on Wednesday, trekking to Birmingham to face Samford. First pitch on ESPN+ is set for 6 p.m. CT.
