AUBURN, Ala. ? Auburn hit a walk-off, two-out, bases loaded double to take the third game of the series with the University of Kentucky by the score of 5-4, Sunday. The loss concludes the season for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats got up in front with a score in the top of the seventh to take a 3-2 lead. Freshman Megan Yocke reached on a walk and then moved to second on a single by sophomore Natalie Smith. A sure-out error by the Tigers? left fielder was muffed, and a heads-up play by Yocke saw her round the bases and come home on the mistake.
Kentucky broke open a scoreless game with a run in the bottom half of the second. Freshman Meagan Aull led off with a single that laced the left field line. Senior Ashley Dimkich advanced the runner with a groundout to second base and then junior Katie McCarty got plucked by a pitch putting two runners on base. An error by Auburn?s second baseman during freshman Sam DeMartine?s at-bat allowed Aull to round the bases and touch home giving UK the early 1-0 advantage.
After holding the Tigers hitless through three innings, the Auburn bats ignited in the fourth. The home squad led off with a double and then Jorja Bell drove her second home run of the series over the left field wall to give the Tigers the 2-1 lead.
The Wildcats reclaimed their lead with a two scores in the top of the fifth. DeMartine led off with a single that split the right side of the defense and senior Audrey Meyer followed suit with a single into left-center putting runners on first and second. Yocke laid down a beautiful bunt just in front of the plate to advance both runners. Sophomore Natalie Smith drew a walk to load the bases, setting the stage for Aull. Aull smacked a two-out double that found the gap in right-center propelled the Wildcats out in front with a 3-2 advantage.
Auburn?s Kyndall White hit a solo home run in the home half of the sixth to knot the score at three-a-piece.
Today?s game marked the final contest for the 2008 senior class consisting of seniors Sam Allen, Lindsay Brogdon, Ashley Dimkich, Megan Jolly and Audrey Meyer. The Wildcats will return 10 letterwinners to the squad in the 2009 season.
Stay tuned to www.ukathletics.com for more news and notes regarding the Kentucky softball program.
