In the series finale, Auburn softball loses to No. 13 South Carolina.
The Auburn softball team closed out its regular season with a tough loss on Sunday, falling 4-1 to No. 13 South Carolina in Columbia. After battling through two tightly contested games earlier in the series, the Tigers came into the finale hoping to steal a win and build momentum heading into postseason play. However, the Gamecocks, showing why they’re among the SEC’s elite this season, controlled the game from the circle and made key plays at the plate to seal the series sweep.
Auburn entered the day with a clear plan: limit South Carolina’s big innings and find a way to string together timely hits against one of the top pitching staffs in the nation. Early on, it looked like the Tigers might have a chance to do just that. Starting pitcher Maddie Penta worked efficiently through the first two innings, mixing speeds and keeping the Gamecocks guessing. Auburn even threatened offensively in the second, putting runners in scoring position, but missed out on key opportunities to break through against South Carolina starter Alana Vawter.
The missed chances would prove costly. South Carolina opened the scoring in the bottom of the third inning when Riley Blampied drove a ball into the gap, scoring a runner from second base. That run seemed to tilt the momentum sharply in the Gamecocks’ favor. A few batters later, they added another run on a sacrifice fly, putting Auburn in a 2-0 hole. The Tigers showed flashes of resilience, with freshman outfielder Abbey Smith robbing a potential extra-base hit at the wall to limit the damage.
Offensively, Auburn continued to battle but struggled to find rhythm against Vawter, who turned in one of her sharpest outings of the season. The Tigers made solid contact at times but could not string together consecutive hits, a recurring issue throughout the series. South Carolina’s infield defense, one of the best in the SEC, made several outstanding plays to squash Auburn’s budding rallies, showcasing the difference in execution between the two sides.
The Gamecocks extended their lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning after a costly Auburn error allowed a run to score, followed by an RBI single through the left side. South Carolina’s lineup showed patience and discipline at the plate, capitalizing on Auburn’s mistakes and consistently putting pressure on the defense. Meanwhile, Auburn’s bats remained quiet, with only sporadic baserunners breaking up what was otherwise a dominant pitching performance.
In the top of the sixth, Auburn finally broke through. Junior infielder Bri Ellis, the heart of the Tigers’ lineup, launched a towering solo home run to left field, cutting the deficit to three. It was a much-needed spark for Auburn, but the Tigers couldn’t carry the momentum into a full rally. Vawter quickly retired the next three hitters to keep South Carolina comfortably ahead heading into the final frame.
Despite the loss, Auburn’s coaching staff praised the team’s effort, particularly the way they continued to fight until the final out. Head coach Mickey Dean acknowledged the frustrations but emphasized the importance of learning from the series against a top-tier opponent. Facing a team like South Carolina in the hostile environment of Beckham Field provided Auburn’s young roster with valuable experience that could prove crucial when the SEC Tournament begins next week.
Statistically, Penta finished her outing with a solid line, allowing three earned runs over five innings while striking out six. Her performance was emblematic of Auburn’s broader season — gritty and competitive, but at times hampered by defensive miscues and a lack of timely offense. The bullpen did its part in relief, with Annabelle Widra tossing a clean sixth inning to keep the Tigers within striking distance.
Offensively, Ellis led the way with her 14th home run of the season, while Makayla Packer and Rose Roach each added hits. Still, Auburn managed just four hits as a team, underscoring the offensive struggles that have plagued them during the tougher stretches of conference play. The Tigers finished the regular season with a 26-22 overall record and a 9-15 mark in SEC play, putting them in the middle of the pack heading into the conference tournament.
Looking ahead, Auburn faces a critical stretch. They will need a strong showing at the SEC Tournament to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume, as they currently sit squarely on the bubble for a postseason berth. While the loss to South Carolina stings, the Tigers have shown throughout the season that they can compete with top-ranked teams when they execute cleanly on both sides of the ball. With players like Penta, Ellis, and Packer leading the way, Auburn still has the pieces necessary to make some noise in the coming weeks.
For now, the Tigers will regroup and refocus, knowing that the postseason offers a clean slate. One hot week could turn their season around entirely, and if Sunday’s fight against South Carolina is any indication, Auburn won’t go down without giving everything they have.
