Saturday’s game followed a similar story to Friday night for Mississippi State softball, but with a different ending.
A blown lead late saw the Bulldogs trail 4-3, but a clutch RBI single from graduate student Jackie McKenna tied things up in the top of the sixth inning.
Extra innings was needed to decide a winner at Auburn, but on this day, Mississippi State pulled through with a 5-4 win in nine innings as senior Chloe Malau’ulu played the hero.
Malau’ulu singled home the game-winning run for the Bulldogs (28-23, 7-15 Southeastern Conference) in the top of the ninth, a ball hit right up the middle that allowed Brylie St. Clair from third.
It was her third hit of the game, and one of the biggest hits for Mississippi State this season.
McKenna’s game-tying single wasn’t the only damage she did against No. 17 Auburn (38-16, 14-9 SEC) on the afternoon, opening up the scoring in the top of the second inning with an RBI single.
Like on Friday night, Madisyn Kennedy produced the big blow offensively, her second two-run home run in as many days to put Mississippi State up 3-2 in the top of the fourth.
Bulldogs starter Aspen Wesley had a short outing in the win, throwing two innings and allowing two runs. She encountered control issues, needing 51 pitches to get through her outing. She also walked three on the day.
In relief came Josey Marron, who pitched a gem, finishing the game with a seven-inning performance out of the bullpen, striking out seven and allowing two runs, both unearned.
Marron allowed three hits overall as Mississippi State limited a dangerous Tigers offense to five hits in the win.
Offensively, the Bulldogs responded to Friday’s loss in a big way, recording 10 hits and putting together scoring opportunities, going 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
Mississippi State left eight runners on base overall, just one more than Auburn, but the Bulldogs capitalized in key situations, including Malau’ulu’s game-winning base knock.
Sunday’s series finale is also Mississippi State’s regular season finale, and Saturday kept a chance at a third conference series win alive. The Bulldogs and Tigers are set to face off at 11 a.m.
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