Recap: Alabama Softball SEC Tournament

ATHENS, Ga. - Alabama softball kicked off its postseason run with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over in-state rival Auburn on Tuesday in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament at Jack Turner Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide advances to face South Carolina on Wednesday.

Get our free mobile app

The Tigers struck first with a solo home run from Nelia Peralta in the top of the first inning, but Alabama answered in the second. In the bottom of the second, Salen Hawkins tied the game with an RBI double that bounced off the wall. An inning later, the Crimson Tide surged ahead as Kali Heivilin legged out an RBI triple to right field before scoring on a sacrifice fly, putting Alabama up 3-1.

The Tigers threatened late cutting the deficit to one in the sixth on a sacrifice fly. With two in scoring position and just one out, the Tigers seemed poised to tie or take the lead, but a pivotal challenge from the Crimson Tide led to an overturned safe call at third base, ending the inning with the Crimson Tide still ahead 3-2.

Pitcher Jocelyn Briski shut the door in the seventh, striking out the Tigers’ final batter for her eight strikeout of the game, matching her career high. Briski's effort marked her fifth complete game victory of the season, three of which have come against SEC foes.

Alabama tallied seven hits on the day, including two each from Audrey Vandagriff and Abby Duchscherer. Hawkins finished with two RBIs, her third multi-RBI game of the season, while Heivilin extended her reached-base streak to 16 games.

The victory was Alabama's 47th all-time in SEC Tournament play, tying LSU for the most in conference history. The Crimson Tide also improved to 7-3 all-time against Auburn in the SEC Tournament.

Next up, Alabama will face South Carolina Wednesday night, approximately 35 minutes after Game 6 which is scheduled for 4 p.m. The game will air on SEC Network.