Auburn Takes Final Game of Series vs. No. 23 Kentucky, 4-1
AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn beat No. 23 Kentucky 4-1 on Monday night, as the Tigers salvaged a game from the three-game series with the Wildcats thanks to the win. Kentucky entered Monday night’s game with a four-game winning streak, including the first two games of the series held Saturday and Sunday.
Kentucky took the early lead 1-0 thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Erin Coffel in the top of the first inning, as it proved to be the only UK run of the night. The Wildcats would load the bases in the top of the sixth inning with one out, but couldn’t drive across the tying run thanks to a strikeout and flyout to end the frame.
Auburn made things 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning on a solo home run to left field by Makayla Packer as the game got squared up. The home run was just the second allowed on the weekend by Kentucky pitching during the three-game series, as the UK pitching kept the Wildcats in the game all night.
The Tigers took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on a play at the plate that was overturned by replay in Birmingham and then added a pair on runs in the sixth on a walked-in run and a fielder’s choice that didn’t get an out but produced a run for Auburn. The four runs scored were all earned, and the most allowed by UK pitching on the weekend.
With the loss, Kentucky’s four-game winning streak is snapped, as well as its three-game Southeastern Conference winning steak, which was a season high as the Wildcats are now 29-16 with a 7-11 SEC record. The Tigers are now 24-15-1 on the season overall and sit one game back of the Wildcats with a 6-12 league mark.
Stephanie Schoonover suffered the loss in the circle for Kentucky as she dropped to 17-7 on the year and snapped a four-game SEC winning streak of her own in the circle. Shelby Lowe picked up the complete game win to improve to 7-3 on the season.
The 2024 John Cropp Stadium home series finale will be next weekend as the Wildcats will play host to South Carolina in a three-game series beginning Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+. Senior Day will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. ET with pregame ceremonies beginning at 1:40 p.m. ET on the field prior to the game.
Key Play
The key play in Monday night’s game was the Auburn go-ahead run scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning on a tight play at the plate as the lead would not be surrendered by the Tigers the remainder of the night.
Key Player
Kentucky’s key player in the game was Erin Coffel, who scored Kentucky’s only run of the game on a solo HR in the top of the first inning.
Key Stat
5-3. Kentucky outhit Auburn 5-3 in the game, but the Tigers capitalized on their opportunities with a pair of two-out runs.
Run Recap
Erin Coffel hit a no-doubter in the top of the first inning to give Kentucky the 1-0 lead early in the game. Coffel now has hit 13 HR’s this season thanks to her long ball Monday night. UK 1, AU 0
Auburn’s Makayla Packer hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game. UK 1, AUB 1
In the bottom of the fifth, with a runner at third and one out, the Tigers took the lead thanks to a replay overturn from Birmingham. A chopper was hit back to Schoonover in the circle and she threw over to Lauryn Borzilleri for the second out. With the runner breaking from third, Borzilleri threw home and the tag was applied by Karissa Hamilton for an out call on the field, but after review, the play was overturned to a safe call and scored the go-ahead run for the Tigers. AUB 2, UK 1
Auburn scored on a bases loaded walk and a fielder’s choice that plated a run in the sixth inning as the Tiger lead ballooned to 4-1. FINAL – Kentucky 4, Auburn 1
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