Auburn softball lost to No. 1 Alabama with a score of 4-0 on April 11, as the Crimson Tide claimed the series at Jane B. Moore Field.
The matchup featured strong pitching from both teams, but Auburn was unable to generate enough offense against Alabama’s staff. Junior SJ Geurin started for the Tigers and allowed two runs over several innings, scattering six hits without issuing a walk and recording one strikeout.
“Our pitching gave us a chance,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “It’s a tough lineup to work through, and they really and truly did their jobs to give us a chance.” After an early double by Alabama’s Ambrey Taylor in the second inning, Geurin held off further damage until Jena Young drove in the first run with a two-out single. Brooke Wells added another run for Alabama with a solo home run in the third inning.
Freshman Charley Butler came on in relief for Auburn and kept Alabama scoreless over her two innings, striking out three batters while allowing only two hits and one walk. Redshirt freshman Abby Herndon pitched the final frame, during which defensive errors led to two unearned runs for Alabama.
Malveaux commented on those late defensive struggles: “It was a little uncharacteristic of us to not make those defensive plays in the seventh,” he said. “It was a tough moment, but our defense has been solid as of late.” Offensively, Auburn managed just one hit—a single by redshirt sophomore Kyla Stround—and drew some walks but could not bring any runners home against Alabama pitcher Vic Morten.
“(Morten) had her spin working and was able to do some things in the bottom half of the zone,” Malveaux said. “She knew when to mix at the right time. We’ve got to figure out what the issue is… We’re battling a tendency to want to be careful. The journey right now is finding our way out of it… We’ve got to figure it out.”
The Tigers will play again Sunday at 1 p.m., with coverage available on SEC Network+ as well as local radio WEGL 91.1 FM and online streaming through Auburn’s website and mobile app. The team will also celebrate its softball alumni before Sunday’s game.
