Haendiges’ Heroics Come Up Just Short as Auburn Takes Series
AUBURN, Ala. – The Kentucky Wildcats dropped both games of doubleheader on Saturday afternoon in Auburn as the Tigers picked up a 6-2 victory over the Wildcats in game one and then outlasted UK by a final score of 6-5 in a 13-inning marathon to close out the day and claim the series for AU.
With the pair of losses, Kentucky falls to 19-6 on the season. Auburn is now 19-7. This was the opening weekend of conference play for both teams as Kentucky is now 1-2 in the SEC and AU is 2-1. This was Auburn’s first series victory over Kentucky in Auburn since 2021.
The Wildcats will next play Southern Indiana on Wednesday night at John Cropp Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET at JCS with tickets available at UKathletics.com/tickets. The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network+.
GAME 1 – Auburn 6, Kentucky 2
Run Recap
Karissa Hamilton gave Kentucky the lead in the top of the first on an RBI single into center field to score Emory Donaldson, who led off the game with a single. UK 1, AU 0
Auburn scored two runs on a two-out Kentucky error in the bottom of the first to take the lead. AU 2, UK 1
Two doubles in the bottom of the fourth inning plated a run for the Tigers. AU 3, UK 1
In the bottom of the sixth, Auburn had three-straight singles and scored on an error to make things 6-1 in favor of the Tigers, their largest lead of the series. AU 6, UK 1
Peyton Plotts had an RBI single in the seventh for Kentucky. FINAL – Kentucky 6, Kentucky 2
Key Player
Emory Donaldson was the key player in the game going 1-for-3 with both UK runs scored in the game off of a single and a walk.
Key Moment
A key error by the Wildcats in the bottom of the first inning allowing two Tiger runs to score was the key moment.
Key Stat
- SJ Guerin for Auburn threw 116 pitches in a complete-game win for AU.
Pitching Recap
McKenzie Oslanzi threw the opening four innings of the game for the Wildcats with only one earned run allowed, two strikeouts and six hits. Abby Hammond finished the final two innings for the Wildcats.
GAME 2 – Auburn 6, Kentucky 5 (Final/13 innings)
Run Recap
Maddy Clark had a lead-off double in the top of the second inning and scored on an RBI single by Carly Sleeman. UK 1, AU 0
In the bottom of the second, Auburn tied the game on an RBI double. UK 1, AU 1
Kentucky re-took the lead on an RBI single by Maddy Anson, who was the first batter after the two-hour rain delay. UK 2, AU 1
Auburn put up a three spot in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI double and a two-run home run. AU 4, UK 2
Carly Sleeman was walked with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth. AU 4, UK 3
Auburn tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth on a lead-off walk that scored on an RBI single up the middle. AU 5, UK 3
Down to its last half inning, Karissa Hamilton and Carly Sleeman both hit solo home runs to tie the game. UK 5, AU 5
Auburn won the game on an RBI single with one out and runners on first and second. FINAL – Auburn 6, Kentucky 5
Key Player
Sarah Haendiges threw 8.1 innings without allowing a run before the Tigers finally cracked the code to walk off the game. Haendiges had nine strikeouts in the game.
Key Moment
The walk-off was the key moment for Auburn.
Key Stat
- The amount of pitches thrown by Sarah Haendiges.
Pitching Recap
Haendiges took the tough-luck loss. Hailey Nutter started the game and went the opening four innings.
