Game Recap: Softball | March 31, 2024
AUBURN, Ala. – The fourth-ranked Lady Vols dropped their first game since February 25 on Sunday, falling to Auburn 4-1 at Jane B. Moore Field – snapping a 20-game win streak.
Tennessee (28-5, 8-1 SEC) also had its 12-game road winning streak ended.
Auburn (16-11-1, 3-9 SEC) jumped out early on Sunday as it scored two runs on a hit and an error in the game’s first inning.
After a rocky start, sophomore Karlyn Pickens settled in and held the Tigers off the board until the sixth.
The right-hander tossed 5.1 frames, giving up four runs – three earned – on four hits and two walks. Pickens fanned four on the day before being lifted in the sixth for sophomore Charli Orsini.
Pickens took the loss, which is just her third of the season.
Tennessee cut the deficit to one in the fourth as Taylor Pannell roped an RBI single to left that scored Katie Taylor.
That was the only run allowed by Auburn starter Maddie Penta as she quieted the Lady Vol bats – scattering five hits over seven innings. The senior notched seven strikeouts and walked three en route to her ninth win of the season.
The Tigers added two insurance runs in the sixth as Nelia Peralta hit a triple to plate Makayla Packer. Amelia Lech doubled later in the frame to score Auburn’s final run of the afternoon.
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Due to inclement weather, Tuesday’s Midstate Classic against Memphis has been canceled.
UP NEXT
Tennessee will host Georgia April 5-7 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium as it continues SEC play.
