Softball

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Auburn Softball Rallies For 4-3 Win Over South Alabama

Tigers put up three runs in seventh inning

Feb. 20, 2008

Mobile, Ala. - Trailing by two runs in the top of the seventh with two outs, the Auburn softball team rallied for three runs to come away with a 4-3 victory over the South Alabama Jaguars Wednesday night.

The Tigers improved to 6-0 with the victory, while the Jaguars fell to 3-5 with the loss. Angel Bunner (2-0) earned the win after pitching 3.0 innings in relief of starter Anna Thompson. Shannon Smith (0-1) took the loss for South Alabama.

"I'm proud of the determination our team showed in coming from behind on the road," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "This was a big challenge for us tonight and I think we came away from it a stronger team."

Trailing 3-1 in the seventh, Starr Dorsey walked and Cassie Trosclair singled to give the Tigers runners at first and second with one out. After pinch-runner Lindsey Harrelson was thrown out at third on a ball hit by Brittany Scott, Taryn Gray singled to load the bases.

Smith then hit Tatiana Fernandez and Myesha Finney in consecutive at-bats to force Trosclair and Scott across the plate, respectively, and pull the Tigers even.

Tied at 3-3, Smith was pulled for Amanda Leggett who hit Alicia Hunolt to force Gray home and give the Tigers a 4-3 lead.

Bunner retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the come-from-behind victory for the Tigers. Bunner did not give up a hit or an earned run and fanned five. Thompson, who started for the Tigers, went 4.0 innings, giving up three hits, no earned runs and striking out eight.

The Jaguars took advantage of an Auburn error in the bottom of the second inning to plate the first run of the game. Dorsey's throwing miscue allowed Fallon Fisher to score from second to give South Alabama a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers, however, responded in the top of the third. Scott tripled to center to open the inning and scored on Gray's sacrifice fly to left.

South Alabama regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. After reaching on an error, Fisher scored on a single to center by Kristen Hayes to give the Jags a 2-1 advantage.

The Jaguars pushed the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth after the Tigers committed their fourth error of the game. Shortstop Kyndall White allowed a ground ball through the infield with two outs that scored Fisher from third.

The Tigers return to action Friday at the University of Central Florida Tournament in Orlando. Auburn plays host UCF in the first game at 2 p.m. CT. The Tigers then play George Mason at 4 p.m. CT.