Wohlers, Adams lift No. 23 Auburn to comeback win over South Alabama

Facing a five-run deficit, No. 23 Auburn softball (21-8) used the long ball, including the walk-off winner from freshman AnnaLea Adams, to come from behind and knock off South Alabama 7-6 Wednesday night at Jane B. Moore Field.

Wohlers, Adams lift No. 23 Auburn to comeback win over South AlabamaWohlers, Adams lift No. 23 Auburn to comeback win over South Alabama
Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. – Facing a five-run deficit, No. 23 Auburn softball (21-8) used the long ball, including the walk-off winner from freshman AnnaLea Adams, to come from behind and knock off South Alabama 7-6 Wednesday night at Jane B. Moore Field.

“We needed that bad,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “No matter how the game goes, no matter who you are playing – winning at this level is tough. We fought a lot of adversity. I’m proud that our team fought through and found a way to win.” 

It was Auburn’s second comeback victory of the season when trailing by at least five runs and the Tigers’ 14th overall come-from-behind win of the year. 

Adams was the walk-off hero with her solo home run in the seventh inning to lead the Tigers to victory. She closed Wednesday 3-for-3 at the plate, adding a pair of singles. Anna Wohlers did most of the offensive damage as she slugged a pair of home runs, including a game-tying grand slam in the fifth, to drive in six of Auburn’s seven runs. 

Nelia Peralta and Abbey Smith both turned in multi-hit performances for the Tigers. With her efforts, Peralta extended her on-base streak to 14 consecutive games. 

SJ Geurin earned her 14th victory of the season, picking up the win in relief. In 5.2 innings of work, Geurin allowed just one run off three hits and a walk. She tied her career high with six strikeouts. She’s been directly involved in 18 of Auburn’s 21 victories by either recording the win or the save. Haley Rainey earned the start for the Tigers. 

South Alabama (14-16) jumped out to its 5-0 lead in the second inning. After loading the bases with two singles and an Auburn error, a walk and fielder’s choice plated the first two runs before Presley Lively cleared the bags with a triple to cap the frame.

The Tiger comeback began in the third as Wohlers slugged her first home run of the night, a two-run blast that cut South Alabama’s lead to 5-2. The Jaguars pushed across an insurance run in the fourth with a two-out RBI single up the middle.

Auburn loaded the bases in the fifth with a Peralta double and a pair of walks before Wohlers tied the game with one swing as her line drive to straightaway center cleared the fence for the first grand slam of her collegiate career. 

Adams came away with her second walk-off hit of the season with her one-out blast in the seventh. The Tigers are now just nine home runs shy of matching their entire 2024 home run total. 

UP NEXT

Another top-five opponent awaits Auburn this weekend as the Tigers travel to No. 2 Texas for a three-game series. Friday’s series opener is slated for a 4 p.m. CT first pitch on the SEC Network+.