Auburn softball loses 5-1 vs. Clemson in NCAA Regional

Auburn’s season is over after a 5-1 loss against Clemson in the NCAA Regional.

Clemson right fielder Caroline Jacobsen scored a run in the first inning on a wild pitch by Auburn starting pitcher Maddie Penta giving Clemson a 1-0 lead.

It’s hard to imagine Penta wasn’t somewhat exhausted, considering she threw 138 pitches in Auburn’s 5-2 Sunday win against Clemson that forced the deciding game a little over 45 minutes after Penta went seven innings and allowed two runs.

After playing through the bracket and having a late night, I am so proud of the fight our team had to force a game seven,” Auburn Mickey Dean said. “We just didn’t have enough in the tank at the end. Congrats to Clemson. They are a talented team. We’ve been building something for the last several years, and we’re on the doorstep of something big. This was a special season. It’s something we can continue to build off.”

Penta’s outing would be significantly shorter in the second game on Sunday than the first. Penta exited the season-ending loss after pitching 1 2/3 innings. Clemson third base Reedy Davenport lined an RBI single with two outs putting Clemson ahead 3-0 in the second inning.

Control issues bit Penta as the second inning went on. Penta threw 47 pitches before exiting the game after giving up a base hit to Ally Miklesh. Relief pitcher Shelby Lowe spelled Penta and issued a bases-loaded walk to Valerie Cagle for Clemson’s fourth run.

Lowe got out of the inning without giving up any more runs when Caroline Jacobsen grounded out to third base on a 1-1 count. Auburn scored its lone run in the third inning when Makayla Packer reached home on a fielder’s choice.

Cagle pitched a complete game and allowed four hits for Clemson in the win. Clemson scored two more runs in the fourth inning. Jacobsen drove in a run, and Maddie Moore knocked home the second run, giving Clemson a 5-1 lead.

Auburn had opportunities with base runners but couldn’t capitalize. This is the second year in a row Auburn’s playoff run ended with a loss to Clemson in regional action. Clemson will move on to play No.1 Oklahoma next week in the super regional. Auburn returns to the Plains after a season that saw them finish third in the SEC and a game away from advancing to the super-regional round.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.