AUBURN, Ala. – In another trilling one-run contest, Auburn softball (29-19, 6-5 SEC) got the tying run in scoring position in the seventh, but No. 18 Tennessee (38-8, 11-7 SEC) squeaked by for a 2-1 win in Sunday's series and season finale at Jane B. Moore Field.
With two on after a Sydney Cox single to right field and a hit by pitch to Justus Perry, the tying run stood in scoring position with one out, but Ashley Rogers forced a pop up to secure the win.
"We're looking to the next pitch," said head coach Mickey Dean. "There's nothing we can do about these three games now, whether we had won or lost them. We're looking forward."
Rogers and Shelby Lowe, who ranked second and first, respectively, in the SEC in lowest earned run average, went to battle for the second time this weekend.
Lowe (13-7) tossed the complete game and allowed just two runs off five hits. She walked two, one of which was intentional, and struck out three. Lowe shut out Tennessee in 12 of her 14 innings pitched this weekend.
Cox led Auburn at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance for her fifth multi-hit game of the season. Lindsey Garcia went 1-for-3 at the plate, picking up an RBI.
After Lowe sit down the Volunteers in order, Makenna Dowell led off the home half of the first with a walk and was lifted for pinch runner Kelsey Schmidt. After Auburn moved Schmidt to third with a pair of productive outs, Garcia singled back up the middle to put the Tigers in front.
Lowe kept Tennessee scoreless until the fourth inning. The Lady Vols loaded the bases with a Chelsea Seggern single and a pair of walks, Ivy Davis knocked a double just inside the line in right field to put Tennessee in front, 2-1.
The Tigers put the tying and winning run on base in the seventh, but the rally would fall just short.
In a special pregame ceremony, Auburn honored the 2020 senior class which featured Ashlee Swindle, Brittany Maresette, Tannon Snow, Kaylee Horton, Rachel Cook, Justus Perry and Alyssa Rivera. The class won over 170 games for the Tigers and have made three NCAA Regional appearances and one Super Regional appearance.
ON DECK
Auburn will wrap up the regular season on the road at No. 16/14 LSU. The series will begin on Friday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Tigers wrap home schedule with No. 18 Tennessee finale; honor 2020 senior class
The 2020 Auburn Senior Class: Kaylee Horton, Rachel Cook, Justus Perry and Alyssa Rivera.