Auburn softball scores six unanswered in SEC Tournament opening-round win

In a must-win contest that saw (14) Auburn softball trailing by two after five innings, the Tigers scored six unanswered runs late to come from behind and knock off (11) Missouri, 6-2, in Tuesday’s opening game of the SEC Tournament at John Cropp Stadium.

Auburn softball scores six unanswered in SEC Tournament opening-round winAuburn softball scores six unanswered in SEC Tournament opening-round win
Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. – In a must-win contest that saw (14) Auburn softball trailing by two after five innings, the Tigers scored six unanswered runs late to come from behind and knock off (11) Missouri, 6-2, in Tuesday’s opening game of the SEC Tournament at John Cropp Stadium.

Missouri (28-29) scored two runs in the first inning with its starting pitcher, Cierra Harrison, keeping Auburn’s offense in check until the sixth inning when Auburn exploded for four runs. Freshman Haven Roebuck delivered the go-ahead hit in the frame with a two-run home run.

“As a coach, it was refreshing to see the team free up and figure it out,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “You could feel it as the game was going on. They went for it, had some success, started feeling it and carrying themselves differently. We had to find a way to win one game and get the monkey off our back.”

Back-to-back walks to lead off the bottom of the first came back to hurt Auburn (26-27) as Missouri took advantage with a pair of hits, including an Abby Carr double, to drive in both runners and build an early lead.

After the rocky start, sophomore Ella Harrison found her groove, retiring 11 of the next 14 batters she faced to put together three straight scoreless frames and keep Auburn in the game. Harrison struck out five before leaving after four solid innings.

Auburn had offensive chances early as sophomore Kylie Shaw worked her way into scoring position twice in the first three innings, including leading off the game with a triple, but the Tigers were unable to capitalize until the sixth.

Junior Alyssa Hastings led off the frame with a triple to left field. She found herself in a rundown after a missed bunt attempt, but an errant throw to third sailed into the outfield, allowing Hastings to score safely.

Auburn continued to apply pressure as Junior Ma’Nia Womack drew a two-out walk to put the tying run on base. The rally continued as senior Destiny Rodriguez singled to left field to put runners on the corners.

A wild pitch from Missouri reliever Carr allowed Womack to score and tie the game before Roebuck delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon with a two-run blast to left field, giving Auburn a 4-2 lead.

Auburn wasn’t done, adding two clutch insurance runs in the seventh. Redshirt sophomore Kyla Stroud led off the frame with a pinch-hit home run to straightaway center. Auburn then earned a pair of free passes before Womack knocked a two-out bloop single to pick up an RBI and build a four-run advantage.

Freshman Charley Butler was lights out in relief for Auburn, earning her first collegiate victory. She allowed just one hit and one walk to silence Missouri and send Auburn to the second round of the tournament.

GAME NOTES

  • Tuesday’s victory was Auburn’s first in the SEC Tournament since defeating Ole Miss, 8-7, on May 11, 2023, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It also marked Auburn’s 11th come-from-behind victory of the season.
  • Auburn improved to 23-29 all-time at the SEC Tournament and 1-1 at the tournament during Chris and Kate Malveaux’s tenure.
  • Auburn is now 21-2 this season when scoring at least six runs. In the Malveaux era, Auburn is 45-4 when scoring six or more runs.
  • Tuesday marked the 17th time this season Auburn has hit multiple home runs in a game. Auburn is 12-5 when hitting at least two home runs.
  • Kylie Shaw’s leadoff triple was her second of the season. She is on an active seven-game reached-base streak and has reached safely in 49 of 53 games this season.
  • Alyssa Hastings’ leadoff triple in the sixth inning was the first of her collegiate career.
  • Haven Roebuck’s sixth-inning home run was the eighth of her freshman season and her first since March 13 at Oklahoma. It marked her seventh multi-RBI game of the season.
  • Kyla Stroud’s pinch-hit home run in the seventh was the third home run of her career.

UP NEXT

Auburn advances to the second round of the SEC Tournament to face (6) Texas A&M. First pitch on SEC Network is set for 10 a.m. CT. Brit Bowen and JJ Jackson will have radio coverage on WEGL 91.1 FM. Fans can also listen via the Auburn Tigers website and mobile app or stream the booth cam on the Auburn Softball Facebook page.