GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Auburn softball jumped out fast with a first-inning lead, but No. 4 Florida scored nine unanswered runs to take the series opener, 9-1, in five innings Friday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
Freshman Haven Roebuck put the Tigers (23-20, 2-14 SEC) on the board in the first frame, delivering a two-out triple to right center to score junior Alyssa Hastings, who had reached earlier in the inning via walk.
“It was important to come out with aggressive swings early with how (Keegan Rothrock) throws,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “I felt that the majority of our at bats were quality with just a hair here and there of misses. She’s a tough pitcher to get after. It will be a benefit when we ultimately see her again this weekend.”
Auburn’s lead held until the third inning when the Gators (42-5, 15-4 SEC) used a walk and four singles to manufacture four runs. Florida added two runs in the fourth with a two-out, two-RBI single from Kenleigh Cahalan. The Gators tacked on three more in the fifth with a solo home run by Ava Brown before a double and an Auburn error plated the final two runs.
Auburn used three pitchers in Friday’s opener. SJ Geurin (5-7) earned the start, striking out two over two innings of work. Redshirt freshman Abby Herndon and junior Malayna Tamborra both saw relief action.
“SJ (Geurin) was grooving the first couple of innings and then kind of lost it in a way that was going to take a bit for her to get it back,” Malveaux said. “Abby (Herndon) was a good matchup, but it is tough to inherit runners. A couple of balls are hit where we’re not because we’re in coverages to keep runners from moving. It was just one after the other, but they didn’t barrel her up. SJ did a good job of keeping them off balance as well. We’re going to need those two to get through the rest of the weekend.”
The Tigers finished with four hits. Roebuck’s triple was the lone extra-base hit for Auburn. Sophomore AnnaLea Adams, junior Ma’Nia Womack and freshman Ava Ratliff all added singles, while Hastings reached twice via walks.
“We lost our composure a bit on that last play knowing what was at stake,” Malveaux added. “But we’re still staying intentful with each pitch no matter what happens. If it is one mistake, we minimize it. We want to be able to stay locked in and not let things compound. We still have opportunities in front of us this weekend, and we have to come back ready tomorrow.”
GAME NOTES
- Haven Roebuck tripled in the first inning, marking the second triple of her freshman season.
UP NEXT
Game two in Gainesville is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. CT and will air on SEC Network+. Fans can listen locally on WEGL 91.1 FM or stream the broadcast on the Auburn Tigers website and mobile app.
BACK AT HOME
Auburn returns to Jane B. Moore Field for the final time this regular season April 24–26 to host Ole Miss in a three-game series. Friday’s series opener is set for 6 p.m. CT and will feature a player trading card giveaway while supplies last. Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. Auburn’s graduating student-athletes will participate in a pregame on-field graduation ceremony. Sunday is Senior Day as the Tigers will honor McKaela Walker and Destiny Rodriguez in a pregame ceremony. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. CT.