Mississippi State had a chance, a big chance to make a road statement in a must-win game against Auburn on Friday.
The Bulldogs led 2-0 going into the bottom of the fifth inning and 2-1 headed to the bottom of the sixth, with Matalasi Faapito coming into the game out of the bullpen.
Faapito collapsed, giving up four runs in one-third of an inning as the Tigers roared back for a 5-2 series-opening win.
A scoreless game headed to the fifth was no more after Mississippi State (27-23, 6-15 Southeastern Conference) shortstop Madisyn Kennedy connected on a two-run homer to left field.
With freshman starter Reis Beuerlein tossing a gem, a chance at a four-game winning streak was in the cards. However, Beuerlein needed 108 pitches to get through five innings, giving up seven hits and walking four.
That forced the hand of Bulldogs head coach Samantha Ricketts to go to the bullpen, and on Friday, Faapito allowed three hits to the first four Auburn (38-15, 14-8 SEC) she faced, giving up two unearned runs after committing a throwing error.
Mississippi State had chances offensively to cut into the lead over the last two innings, but left five runners on base, three of which in scoring position.
Nadia Barbary came up with two outs in the bottom of the seventh as the go-ahead run for the Bulldogs, following Macy Graf, who was hit to load the bases.
A ball in play could have scored two and a ball in the gap had the potential to clear the bases and tie the game at 5-5. However, Barbary struck out to end the game and Mississippi State’s three-game winning streak.
Offensively, the Bulldogs were held hitless through the first four innings of play, with Auburn starter Maddie Penta retiring the first 12 batters she faced.
Penta went the distance, a complete game effort giving up two runs and four hits while striking out 10 Mississippi State batters.
Having won just two SEC series this season, Saturday is now a must-win game for the chance at a third series win before the SEC Tournament begins next week.
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