AUBURN, Ala. – Behind another stellar performance by Shelby Lowe, Auburn softball (25-15-1, 6-12 SEC) scored four unanswered runs to take down No. 24 Kentucky (29-16, 7-11 SEC) 4-1 Monday night at Jane B. Moore Field.
"They have to recognize their greatness," said head coach Mickey Dean. "Sometimes in a space of time, you aren't where you want to be when it comes to wins and losses. We're not where we want to be, but you have to look at home many 'championship' games, those final games of the series, that we have won. That's a big deal. It's going to mean a great deal at the end of the season and postseason. It shows us that we're good on championship day."
In another complete game effort, Lowe (7-3) held the Kentucky offense to just five hits. The Wildcats lone run was off an Erin Coffel solo home run in the first inning. Lowe issued two walks and struck out four to help strand five base runners, including leaving the bases loaded in the sixth.
Auburn totaled three hits on Monday, but the biggest was from senior Makayla Packer. Her second home run of the season, a solo shot to left in the second inning, locked the game at 1-1.
Packer's speed was key in the Tigers scoring the go-ahead run in the fifth. Drawing a walk and making her way to third off a stolen base and a Mille Roberts pinch-hit single, Packer raced home on an Annabelle Widra groundball back to the pitching circle. The Wildcats seemingly turned an inning-ending double play to end, but Auburn challenged the out call at home. The call was reversed as Packer slid safely under the tag.
Anna Wohlers' one-out double sparked the scoring in the sixth. The Tigers loaded the bases behind her with a walk and hit by pitch before Amelia Lech drew a bases-loaded walk to plate an insurance run. Packer picked up her second RBI of the night off a fielder's choice as the Wildcats attempted to make the force out at the plate, but all hands were safe.
Auburn continues SEC action this weekend with its final road series when the Tigers travel to Ole Miss. First pitch on the SEC Network is set for 5 p.m. CT.
