AUBURN, AL — Texas A&M Softball fell to 20th-ranked Auburn, 12-4, in six innings Sunday at Jane B. Moore Field.
The Aggies (16-11, 1-5 SEC) grabbed an early lead in the first as Riley Sartain belted a two-run homer to right, her sixth of the season. In the fourth, Texas A&M extended its lead as Taudrea Sinnie plated Dani Elder on an infield single, before Elder singled home Madi Jatzlau in the fifth to give the Aggies a four-run advantage.
Auburn (26-4, 3-0 SEC) scored all 12 of its runs in the sixth inning. The Tigers recorded six hits in the frame, highlighted by a Justus Perry grand slam to put the run rule in effect.
Payton McBride suffered the loss as the lefty gave up five unearned runs in 0.2 innings of relief. Kendall Potts got the start and struck out four in five innings. The Arlington, Texas, native gave up eight hits and three earned runs.
KEY INNINGS
T1| Kelbi Fortenberry led off the game with a single to center on the first pitch of the game before Riley Sartain gave the Aggies the lead with a two-run shot to right, her sixth of the season. A&M 2, AU 0
T4| Dani Elder began the inning with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Kelly Martinez. Taudrea Sinning plated Elder on an infield single. A&M 3, AU 0
T5| The Aggies mounted a two-out rally in the fifth as Baylee Klingler singled to center and was pinch ran for by Madi Jatzlau. The freshman advanced to second on a single to right from Haley Lee and later scored on an Elder RBI single. A&M 4, AU 0
B6| Tannon Snow started the comeback for the Tigers with a RBI double to center. Carmyn Greenwood drove in two with a single to center before Casey McCrackin tacked on another run with a single to center. Following three consecutive bases-loaded walks, Perry ended the game with a grand slam to left center. AU 12, A&M 4
Top Offensive Players:
Riley Sartain | 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
Dani Elder | 2-for-3, RBI, R
Kelbi Fortenberry | 2-for-4, R
Haley Lee | 2-for-3
Pitching Breakdown:
Kendall Potts – 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Payton McBride – L, 0.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 0 ER, 2 BB
Hannah Mayo – 0.0 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB
ON DECK
Texas A&M returns to action Wednesday at 5 p.m. against SFA at Davis Diamond.
