Late Rally Falls Short as No. 11 Auburn Takes Series Opener

AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 18 Kentucky softball team saw its four-game winning streak snapped on The Plains against the No. 11 Auburn Tigers on Friday night by allowing a run in the fourth and fifth innings to fall, 3-1.
 
UK had the tying runs in scoring positon in the seventh inning, but a popout to second base ended the game after a frustrating offensive night for the Wildcats.  
 
With the loss, Kentucky falls to 19-7 overall and 2-4 in Southeastern Conference play. Grace Baalman, who pitched well in the game, falls to 10-3 on the season as the tough-luck loser.
 
Game two of the three-game series will be on Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET from Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn. It will be shown live on the SEC Network, ESPN3 and the ESPN app with Cara Capuano (pxp) and former All-American Cheri Kempf (color) on the call.
 
Key Stat
One. Grace Baalman picked up her first-career RBI on Friday night, singling up the middle for her first-career hit, and RBI.
 
Key Play
Courtney Shea’s lead-off home run in the top of the fourth inning was the key play of the game. It was the first pitch of the bottom of the fourth in a scoreless game at the time.
 
Key Player
Larissa Spellman was the key player in the game, keeping the AU offense at bay in the sixth inning with a clean inning. Spellman got a 5-4-3 double play to end her frame facing the minimum.
 
Run Recap
Senior Courtney Shea homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning to give Auburn the first run of the game. AU 1, UK 0
 
Victoria Draper singled up the middle with two outs to score Morgan Podany from second to double the Tigers lead. The next batter was Casey McCracken who singled into left on a 16-pitch at bat to plate Draper. AU 3, UK 0
 
An Abbey Cheek walk led off the top of the seventh, and she came around to score on a Grace Baalman single up the middle. UK then put the tying run in scoring position with two outs in the seventh, but a popout to the right side ended the inning. FINAL – #11 Auburn 3, #18 Kentucky 1
 
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