BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas –No. 25 Auburn softball (15-9-1, 2-7 SEC) found early offensive success at Davis Diamond on Sunday, but No. 12 Texas A&M (28-4, 8-1 SEC) rallied late to walk off a 14-6 victory in five innings to sweep the series.
"Our defense has been a strong point for us this season, and it let us down today," said head coach Mickey Dean. "Texas A&M cut open with the bats. Our younger pitchers struggled a bit. The big innings for both teams were sparked by defensive miscues."
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Auburn tallied seven hits with Nelia Peralta leading the effort with a 2-for-3 effort with a double. Coming into the game in relief of an injured Rose Roach, Mariah Penta drove in four of Auburn's six runs with her second collegiate grand slam in the second inning.
Giving up an unearned run in the first frame, Auburn rallied to load the bases in the second with a walk and a pair of singles. Annabelle Widra locked the game up with a single up the middle to plate a run before Abbey Smith gave Auburn a 2-1 lead as she drew a bases-loaded walk. Penta's grand slam pushed Auburn's lead to 6-1.
Texas A&M used a pair of two-out rallies to score 12 runs over the third and fourth innings before Koko Wooley walked off the game in the fifth with a solo home run. Emmah Rolfe was tagged with the loss in Sunday's finale.
Auburn returns to Jane B. Moore Field next weekend to face No. 7 Tennessee in a three-game series. Friday's opener is set for 5 p.m. CT. The Tigers will honor senior outfielder Makayla Packer during the homestand.
