MADISON, Ala. – Earning the first start of her career, freshman AnnaLea Adams came up with the walk-off hit to complete No. 17 Auburn’s 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Jacksonville State Sunday at Toyota Field.
“We felt that game was going to end with a close score,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “Jacksonville State is a good team. We felt like we would see (Jaliyah Homes) in the circle, but it took us a while to commit and make those adjustments to give us a chance. It was fun to watch them be able to come back and win.”
Holmes retired the first 11 batters she faced in order before Anna Wohlers came up with the first Auburn hit of the game, a solo blast to cut the Gamecock lead to 2-1.
The Tigers (14-1) tied the game in sixth after leading off the frame with infield singles from Rose Roach and Abbey Smith. A Gamecock (9-5) throwing error had runners on the corners for Nelia Peralta. Her hot shot to center was caught but was deep enough for Roach to tag and tie the game on the sacrifice fly.
KK McCrary led off the seventh with a double to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. Stepping to the plate with one out, Adams delivered the single to center to walk off the game for the Tigers.
take in the moment, @_annalea_adams_ 🤩#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/TFTuS6032c
— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) February 24, 2025
Haley Rainey earned the start in the circle and went 3.2 innings for the Tigers. She kept the Gamecocks scoreless through the first three frames but a leadoff walk in fourth proved costly as Jacksonville used a pair of hits in the inning to build its 2-0 lead.
Rainey was charged with four hits and both runs with only one being earned. She struck out four in the contest.
SJ Geurin tossed the final 3.1 innings to earn the win in relief to improve to 9-0. She gave up just three hits and struck out one. Her big moment in the game was fielding a line drive to turn a double play in the top of the seventh, leaving the go-ahead run stranded at third base.
UP NEXT
Auburn returns to Jane B. Moore Field for the first time in two weeks when The Tigers host the Jane B. Moore Memorial. The Tigers open the tournament on Friday with contests versus Rutgers and McNeese State, starting at 3 p.m. CT. Louisiana rounds out the tournament field. All five tournament games will be available on the SEC Network+.