AUBURN, Ala. – Mizzou Softball (24-17, 5-8 SEC) built an early 3-0 advantage Saturday evening at Jane B. Moore Field, but Auburn answered with four runs in the fourth inning en route to its slim 5-4 victory. The visiting Tigers trailed by two runs in the seventh inning, recorded an RBI single but saw the potential game-tying run thrown out at the plate to end the contest.
Mizzou struck first in the second inning with two runs, despite not tallying a single hit. With runners on second and third and two outs, a costly Auburn fielding error allowed Mizzou to push both runs across the plate.
Two innings later, freshman Gabby Garrison (Missouri City, Texas) produced her first career triple while driving in Mizzou's third run of the night. Auburn flirted with cracking the scoreboard through its opening three frames and finally broke through in the fourth inning with a bases-clearing triple. The host Tigers took their first lead of the game later that frame after a Mizzou wild pitch.
Auburn added a key insurance run in the bottom half of the sixth, courtesy of an RBI single to left field. Down by two runs in the seventh, Mizzou put its first two runners on thanks to two walks. After a pair of outs, the visiting Tigers had the tying runs in scoring position.
Senior Chloe Rathburn (Mission Viejo, Calif.) reached on an infield single to keep her team alive, but Mizzou attempted to catch Auburn's first basemen sleeping by having the potential game-tying run score on the play as well. A heads up play by the host Tigers defender cut Mizzou short at the plate and ended the game.
Senior Kirsten Mack's (Riverside, Calif.) first inning walk extended her career-high safely reached base streak to 18 games. Freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) also shined at the plate despite Mizzou's loss Saturday evening, as she tallied her 10th multi-hit game this season.
Hear From the Tigers
Burnside on tonight's tough loss…
"We jumped out early and felt good, but we know that you can't ever breathe easily in the SEC. Auburn took advantage of some of our mistakes tonight, just like we did with theirs. We competed down to the wire and we know we can still claim a series win tomorrow."
Up Next
This weekend's series finale between Mizzou and No. 7 Auburn is scheduled for Sunday, April 16. First pitch at Jane B. Moore Field is set for 2 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN.
Mizzou returns to Columbia, Mo., next week (April 17-23) for six games over seven days. The Tigers open their busy week at Mizzou Softball Stadium with a doubleheader against SEMO on Tuesday, April 18. Game one is slated for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch.
Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).
