South Florida Stuns Auburn Softball 12–7 in 9-Inning Thriller at Tallahassee Regional
In a game that had everything—clutch hits, controversial calls, mental miscues, and extra-inning drama—the Auburn Tigers’ postseason got off to a brutal start.
The No. 2 seed in the Tallahassee Regional, Auburn was stunned by No. 3 seed South Florida 12–7 in a grueling nine-inning marathon Friday night, putting the Tigers on the brink of elimination just hours into NCAA Tournament play. It was a collapse that left fans in shock and head coach Mickey Dean searching for answers.
“We didn’t execute,” Dean said bluntly after the game. “In the postseason, the margin for error is razor-thin, and we just gave them too many chances. Credit to South Florida—they took full advantage.”
After falling behind early, Auburn battled back to force extra innings. But defensive lapses and bullpen struggles in the ninth inning allowed South Florida to erupt for five runs, sealing a shocking upset in the opening round of the Tallahassee Regional.
A Nightmare Ninth
With the score tied 7–7 entering the ninth, both teams had already traded momentum swings throughout the night. But it was South Florida (32–24) that delivered the final—and most decisive—punch.
After back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs, Auburn’s bullpen faltered under pressure. A wild pitch brought home the go-ahead run, followed by a bloop RBI single and a throwing error that extended the inning. By the time Auburn recorded the third out, South Florida had plated five runs and completely silenced the once-rowdy Tigers dugout.
Auburn (27–20–1) went down quietly in the bottom of the ninth, managing only a walk before a groundout ended the game. The final score—12–7—didn’t reflect just how close this game was through eight tense innings, nor how suddenly it unraveled.
“That’s what happens when you don’t finish,” said Auburn catcher Nell Smith. “We had them on the ropes, but we let them hang around too long.”
Early Trouble, Late Fight
The Tigers fell behind early thanks to a shaky start from pitcher Annabelle Widra, who struggled with command from the outset. South Florida tagged her for four runs in the first two innings, punctuated by a towering two-run homer from junior third baseman Alyssa Roush.
But Auburn, to its credit, didn’t fold.
Behind clutch hitting from senior outfielder Bri Ellis and sophomore slugger Rose Roach, the Tigers clawed back. Ellis launched a two-run shot in the third, her 17th of the season, cutting the deficit to 4–3. Roach followed with a game-tying double in the fifth, and an RBI single by freshman Madilyn Moll in the sixth gave Auburn its first lead of the night at 5–4.
Momentum appeared to have shifted—until South Florida answered immediately in the top of the seventh. A walk, bunt single, and fielding error loaded the bases before a sacrifice fly tied the game at 5–5. Auburn escaped without further damage, but the door had been reopened.
Clutch Moments and Missed Opportunities
Auburn had its chances in extra innings—particularly in the eighth. With runners on second and third and one out, the Tigers couldn’t capitalize. A strikeout and flyout ended the inning, and the missed opportunity proved costly.
“We had the heart of our order up in that spot,” Dean said. “That’s where you’ve got to put the game away. We didn’t, and we paid for it.”
South Florida’s go-ahead ninth inning rally was made possible in part by Auburn’s unraveling on defense. A pair of infield errors, a wild pitch, and a misplayed fly ball all contributed to the disastrous frame.
Meanwhile, South Florida’s bullpen held its own. Freshman reliever Kaia Lopez entered in the seventh and tossed three scoreless innings, working around traffic and shutting the door when it mattered most. Her ability to neutralize Auburn’s power hitters down the stretch was one of the game’s most pivotal storylines.
“She’s got ice in her veins,” said South Florida head coach Ken Eriksen. “She came in and just attacked their hitters. We knew Auburn was going to make a run, but Kaia never blinked.”
Bri Ellis, Auburn’s Lone Bright Spot
Despite the loss, senior slugger Bri Ellis was once again the heartbeat of Auburn’s offense. She went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs, and a pair of runs scored—raising her season average to .342.
Ellis now has 53 career home runs, placing her second on Auburn’s all-time list. But individual accolades were of little consolation after the stinging defeat.
“We’re disappointed, no doubt,” Ellis said. “But this isn’t over. We’ve got more games to play. We can still fight our way out of this.”
Auburn also got multi-hit performances from Rose Roach and Mya Packer, but the bottom half of the lineup struggled, going a combined 2-for-18 with seven strikeouts.
What’s at Stake Now?
The loss sends Auburn to the elimination bracket, where the Tigers will now have to win four straight games to advance to the Super Regionals. They’ll face an early game Saturday against the loser of Florida State and Chattanooga—both dangerous opponents in their own right.
To pull off the comeback, Auburn’s pitching must improve. Widra lasted just 2.1 innings, giving up five hits, four runs (three earned), and two walks. Shelby Lowe and Maddie Penta followed, with Penta ultimately tagged with the loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the ninth.
Penta, who had been a workhorse all season for the Tigers, didn’t have her best stuff and appeared fatigued by her third inning of work.
“I probably left her in too long,” Dean admitted. “But we were running out of arms.”
Auburn has shown resilience before—winning five straight to reach the SEC semifinals last year after dropping their opener—but the road ahead is daunting.
South Florida’s Statement Win
For South Florida, the victory was arguably its most significant of the season. Written off by many after an up-and-down spring, the Bulls came into the Tallahassee Regional as underdogs but played like veterans. Their lineup combined for 14 hits, five walks, and four stolen bases, putting pressure on Auburn’s defense all night.
Six different Bulls recorded at least two hits, and Roush led the way with a 3-for-5 night, including her early home run and two RBIs. Junior shortstop Tori Hill also starred, driving in three runs and making a pair of highlight-reel plays in the field.
“This team has heart,” Eriksen said. “We’ve been through adversity all season. Nobody believed we could come into an SEC team’s house and win—but we did.”
Auburn Must Regroup — Fast
Now, Auburn’s season hangs in the balance. One more loss, and the Tigers are headed home far earlier than anyone expected. With expectations of at least reaching Super Regionals, a first-round exit would mark a disappointing end to a promising season that once saw Auburn ranked as high as No. 12 nationally.
Dean’s squad must regroup overnight and rediscover the fundamentals that carried them throughout SEC play—strong pitching, timely hitting, and mistake-free defense.
“Our backs are against the wall,” Ellis said. “We have no choice but to fight.”
The Tigers will need a deep pitching performance Saturday and likely some offensive fireworks. Whether that spark comes from Ellis, Roach, or someone unexpected remains to be seen—but Auburn’s margin for error is now officially zero.
Final Thoughts
The postseason is often defined not by how teams win—but by how they respond to adversity. Auburn softball now faces its most critical moment of the year. One more misstep, and the season ends not in Oklahoma City—but in frustration in Tallahassee.
South Florida earned every bit of their upset win. They out-hit, out-hustled, and ultimately out-executed a higher-seeded Auburn team that looked shell-shocked by game’s end. For the Tigers, the focus shifts from chasing a championship to simply surviving the weekend.
They’ll have to fight like never before—and prove they belong on the sport’s biggest stage.
