Auburn Tigers Clash with Top-Seeded Crimson Tide in Intense 2025 SEC Softball Tournament Opener That Captivates SEC Fans
The 2025 SEC Softball Tournament couldn’t have opened with a more electric matchup than the one it delivered on Day 1. Longtime in-state rivals Auburn and Alabama clashed under the bright lights of the Hoover Met, reigniting one of the fiercest rivalries in collegiate athletics with postseason stakes on the line. It was the Tigers who walked into the ballpark as the underdogs, seeded lower and with much to prove. Yet, what unfolded over seven hard-fought innings was a game that embodied everything the SEC—and especially this rivalry—represents: grit, heart, and unrelenting competition.
Alabama, the top-seeded team entering the tournament, came in riding a wave of momentum, having wrapped up the regular season with a dominant run through the conference schedule. The Crimson Tide were well-rested, talented, and expected to handle their business against Auburn swiftly. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that when the Tigers and Tide meet, rankings go out the window.
From the very first pitch, the tension was palpable. Auburn’s dugout came alive early, with energy that seemed to spill over onto the field. Sophomore pitcher Reese Atwood, who had struggled at times during the regular season, showed immediate command of the circle, mixing speeds and locations effectively to keep Alabama hitters guessing. In the top of the first, she retired the Tide in order, ending the inning with a wicked rise ball that induced a swinging strikeout and fired up the Auburn faithful in attendance.
Alabama, meanwhile, countered with their ace, All-SEC standout Olivia Davis, whose ability to dominate lineups with precision and poise has become her trademark. Davis looked every bit the part in the early going, striking out the side in the bottom of the first with an array of perfectly placed off-speed pitches and a devastating backdoor curve. But Auburn didn’t blink. They knew the path to an upset would not be easy, and every out would have to be earned.
The Tigers struck first in the top of the third inning. A leadoff double by freshman speedster Kinsley Jackson ignited Auburn’s offense. Jackson, one of the fastest players in the SEC, took third on a wild pitch before senior second baseman Abby Smith dropped a perfectly placed bunt down the first base line to bring her home. The Tigers bench erupted, sensing momentum was shifting.
But Alabama didn’t take long to respond. In the bottom half of the inning, leadoff hitter Taylor Mitchell drove a single through the right side and stole second on the very next pitch. A sacrifice bunt moved her to third before designated hitter Maya Brooks launched a deep fly ball to left field, tying the game at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly.
What followed was three innings of classic SEC softball: timely hits, gutsy pitching, and defensive gems that left fans from both sides holding their breath. Atwood continued to dazzle, working around trouble in both the fourth and fifth innings thanks to some stellar defensive play behind her. Center fielder Skylar Green made a diving catch to rob what would’ve been an RBI double, and catcher Emily Riggins gunned down a would-be base stealer with a perfect throw to second.
Meanwhile, Davis began to labor slightly in the sixth, and Auburn took advantage. With two outs and a runner on first, designated hitter Jenna Phillips ripped a line drive off the left-center wall, narrowly missing a home run but bringing in the go-ahead run. Phillips pumped her fist as she slid into second, and the Tigers smelled blood.
But Alabama wasn’t going away. In the bottom of the sixth, with the crowd at full volume, the Tide mounted a rally of their own. A leadoff walk and a bloop single put runners on first and second with no outs. Head coach Patrick Murphy called for a double steal, and both runners advanced successfully, putting the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. Atwood dug deep, striking out the next batter on a high heater. Then came the game’s most controversial moment.
With one out and the infield drawn in, Alabama’s clean-up hitter, Emma Sanders, sent a grounder sharply toward short. Auburn’s Macy Evans fielded the ball cleanly and fired home. The play at the plate was razor-close. Riggins applied the tag, the umpire hesitated—and called the runner out. The Tide’s dugout exploded in protest, but the call stood. One pitch later, Atwood induced a grounder to second to end the threat.
In the seventh, Auburn couldn’t add to their lead, setting the stage for a dramatic bottom half with a 2-1 score. The Tide had the top of the order due up. Mitchell, their catalyst, again sparked hope with a leadoff single. After a sacrifice bunt moved her over, Brooks walked to put the winning run on base. Atwood, now well over 100 pitches, showed no signs of fatigue.
Facing the heart of Alabama’s lineup, she induced a popup to short and then faced Sanders again with two outs. On a 2-2 count, Atwood went back to the rise ball—this time elevated just enough. Sanders chased it. Swing and miss. Game over.
Auburn stormed the field in celebration, while Alabama looked on in stunned silence. The Tigers had done it—taken down the tournament’s No. 1 seed and reminded everyone that when it comes to rivalry games, nothing is predictable.
“Reese was unbelievable tonight,” Auburn head coach Mickey Dean said afterward. “She’s been through ups and downs this season, but she brought it when we needed it the most. That’s what this program is about—rising to the occasion.”
Atwood, hoarse from screaming during the postgame dogpile, beamed as she spoke to media.
“We came in as the underdogs, and we wanted to show we belong,” she said. “Alabama’s a great team. But we’re not afraid of anybody.”
Alabama coach Patrick Murphy was diplomatic after the loss, crediting Auburn’s fight and lamenting missed opportunities.
“We had chances, and we just didn’t cash in,” he said. “Give Auburn credit—they played a clean game and earned that win.”
With the victory, Auburn moves on to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament and gives itself a huge boost in the eyes of the NCAA Tournament selection committee. For a program that had hovered near the tournament bubble in recent weeks, this win over a top-five RPI team may have been exactly what the Tigers needed to solidify their spot in the postseason.
For Alabama, the road doesn’t end here. With their resume, they are still a lock for a top national seed in the NCAA Tournament, but the loss is a gut punch—a reminder that even the most dominant teams must bring their best in every single postseason game.
The Auburn-Alabama rivalry has delivered plenty of unforgettable moments over the years, but this one will go down as one of the most satisfying victories in Auburn’s recent softball history. For a team that’s been searching for consistency and identity, this win could be the turning point. For Alabama, it’s a reminder that nothing is guaranteed—especially in the SEC.
As the tournament continues, Auburn now wears the Cinderella label—but with the way they played against the Tide, no one will be sleeping on them again. The Tigers didn’t just survive. They roared.
