AUBURN, Ala. – Alabama (32-15, 9-13 SEC) rallied to score three runs in the seventh inning, but Auburn softball (26-17-1, 8-14 SEC) held on with a pair of strikeouts from ace Maddie Penta to clinch the series opener 4-3 Friday night at Jane B. Moore Field.
"We did a great job with our approaches at the plate tonight," said head coach Mickey Dean. "I think our coaches did a great job preparing our players from what they were going to see tonight. I think we were a little angry after the Ole Miss series and how that weekend went. We were really locked in, and it showed tonight."
Penta took a two-hit shutout into the final frame, but the Crimson Tide jump on her early in counts to knock three straight hits, including a two-run homer from Kali Heivilin to cut into the lead. An Auburn error helped the third run of the inning home and put the tying run in scoring position with one out.
Penta responded with a pair of strikeouts to earn her 14th win of the season. Going the distance, Penta struck out nine in her complete-game effort versus the Tide to help Auburn extend its winning streak in the series to three straight games.
Auburn closed the game with seven hits and drove in runs in each of the first three innings. Anna Wohlers was the lone Tiger to turn in a multiple hit performance as she went 2-for-3 with an RBI behind her two-out single in the third.
Amelia Lech got the offense going in the opening frame as she drove her 11th home run of the season to right center to put Auburn up 2-0. Rose Roach found herself in the hit column as she drove an RBI single through the right side in the second inning.
Auburn looks to secure its second consecutive series win over Alabama and its first home series win over the Tide since 2018 on Friday. First pitch on the SEC Network is set for 5 p.m. CT.
