ATHENS, Ga. - Auburn (32-22, 6-18 SEC) fell in their comeback attempt against Alabama (36-20, 12-12 SEC). A first-inning lead was not enough to propel the Tigers past a staunch Tide team as clutch hitting helped Alabama beat Auburn in round one of the SEC softball tournament.
15 teams make the SEC tournament, with 14 projected comfortably in the NCAA regional round. Auburn, as the 15 seed, was a long shot to win the whole thing, but had a chance to make a run.
The start for Auburn indicated there may be a special tournament run brewing as Nelia Peralta went yard over the tall wall in Athens to give Auburn the lead in the first inning.
Any plans for a Cinderella run were foiled by Jocelyn Briski, who grabbed her 16th win of the year as SJ Geurin dropped to 20-10 on the year.
Briski went all seven for the Tide in the win, giving up six hits but just two runs, both earned, walking three Tigers and fanning eight. Despite the six hits, it was clutch pitching that allowed Briski to give up only two runs. With runners in scoring position, she held Auburn to just one of five at the plate.
Salen Hawkins led Alabama’s offense with two of the three RBIs going 1-2 at the plate with a double and a sac fly.
Auburn got one run back in the sixth but could not capitalize on a scoring threat when Peralta scored on a sacrifice fly from Tresvik, but Thalia Martin was gunned out at third, which retired the side and with it the best chance for Auburn to even the game.
Auburn will await selection Sunday to see where they will travel for the regional round of the NCAA tournament.
