AUBURN, Ala. – No. 24 Auburn softball (19-8, 2-2 SEC) came out swinging with a three-run blast from freshman Haven Roebuck, but the Tigers were unable to hold the lead as No. 6 Oklahoma (26-2, 1-0 SEC) took game one of the series, 13-5, in six innings Friday night at Love’s Field.
It was a slugfest as the two teams combined for seven home runs, but the Sooners ended the game in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly from Allyssa Parker to clinch the series opener.
“I liked the way that we stayed competing,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “There were times where we could have made smarter decisions to get an out. It could have kept us in the game a little bit. Our pitchers did a great job of being able to change speeds and hit certain spots. Oklahoma did a great job of taking advantage of every little mistake in a big way.”
Roebuck had a big performance at the plate with a 3-for-3 effort and a pair of home runs for four RBI. Senior McKaela Walker also slugged a home run in the contest.
The Tigers used four pitchers to try to keep the Oklahoma lineup off balance. Redshirt freshman Abby Herndon suffered the loss to fall to 4-2. Freshman Charley Butler saw the most innings as she tossed 2.1 in relief to close the game.
Auburn threw the first punch of the contest as Roebuck slugged a home run to straightaway center to build a 3-0 Auburn lead in the top of the second. A single from senior Destiny Rodriguez to lead off the inning and a hit by pitch set the table for Roebuck’s blast.
The Sooners answered in the home half of the inning, scoring nine runs with the help of three homers and a pair of Auburn errors.
Auburn continued to battle back with solo home runs from Walker and Roebuck in the third and fourth innings, respectively, cutting the lead to four. Oklahoma created more separation in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run home run from Gabbie Garcia before ending the game in the sixth.
GAME NOTES
- Haven Roebuck slugged her first home run in SEC play. It was her sixth home run and her sixth multi-RBI game of her career.
- Roebuck added another home run in the fourth inning to mark the second multi-home run game of her career. It was also her sixth multi-hit performance of the season. Roebuck finished the game 3-for-3, tying her career high in hits.
- McKaela Walker extended her hit streak to 11 consecutive games with her home run in the third inning. It was her ninth home run of the season and the 11th of her career.
- Auburn has slugged multiple home runs in 12 of its 27 contests this season and are 10-2 in those contests.
UP NEXT
Auburn looks to even the series on Saturday. First pitch is at 2 p.m. CT. The game can be streamed on SEC Network+. Fans can listen locally on WEGL 91.1 FM or can stream the audio on the Auburn Tigers mobile app or website.
BACK AT HOME
The Tigers return home on Wednesday for Fan Appreciation Night at Jane B. Moore Field when Auburn hosts Jacksonville State at 6 p.m. CT. Fans will receive a free shoe koozie while supplies last. It’s Diamond Deals Day at the park as fans can enjoy $2.50 hot dogs and $5 domestic brews.