AUBURN, Ala. – Behind her first shutout in Southeastern Conference play, Annabelle Widra and Auburn softball blanked No. 17 Alabama 3-0 Saturday at Jane B. Moore Field to secure Auburn's second straight series win over its in-state rival.
It's the first time Auburn has won back-to-back series over Alabama since the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
"Annabelle did a tremendous job," said head coach Mickey Dean. "(Emily) Carosone showed her some numbers. She got every batter in the beginning of an inning out, and she didn't walk a single batter. Annabelle can be extremely successful when she does that."
Behind a season-high seven strikeouts, Widra kept the Tide off-balance at the plate. She scattered four hits and did not issue a walk on Saturday. Her only free pass of the day was a hit by pitch in the sixth inning.
"I had a few minutes to reflect after coach Dean told me I had the starting nod," Widra said. "I didn't have my best outing against them last season. I wanted to come out sharp, trust myself and trust my defense. Everything came together."
The Tigers totaled six hits on Saturday with another in-state player showing out in the rivalry series as Axe Milanowski turned in a second straight multi-hit game as she went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored.
Milanowski helped the spark Auburn's two-run second inning as she doubled following an Amelia Lech leadoff walk to put two in scoring position for Anna Wohlers. Wohlers singled up the middle to plate a run. Nelia Peralta drove a two-out single to right to make it 2-0 lead. Wohlers attempted to score on the play but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
Auburn's 2-0 lead held until the fourth inning as Lech led off with her second home run of the series. Her solo shot to left field was her team-leading 12th home run of the year as she pushed the lead a decisive 3-0.
The Tigers now await their SEC Tournament seeding as conference play finishes on Sunday. The 2024 SEC Tournament, hosted by the Tigers at Jane B. Moore Field, begins on Tuesday, May 7.