Auburn Softball Comes Up Short … But Count on Them Going Back to Oklahoma City in 2018

“In order to win, we’ve got to play better. We’ve got to perform better. We’ve got to execute better.” Words spoken by Auburn coach Clint Myers moments after his teams was defeated in the Super Regional 5-2 by Oklahoma. 

While fans were disappointed no one hurt more than the players themselves. The crushing loss not only ended their season but also eliminated them from playing in their third consecutive Women’s College World Series.

As they have all year, the Tigers fought hard. Auburn ace Kaylee Carlson was true to form, completing her 21st game of the year, striking out three and allowing just six hits.

Offensively, Casey McCrackin hit a solo home run, while the best softball player to ever play at Auburn, Kasey Cooper, drove in a run and was literally robbed of a homer by Sooner out fielder Macey Hatfield’s great catch at the wall, that was just inches from going out. And there were also singles by Victoria Draper and Courtney Shea.

But as in most high profile matches between two top teams, the difference usually comes down to which team makes the fewest mistakes. On Saturday, that team was Oklahoma. The Sooners scored two runs in the sixth due to a miscommunication in left field and a throwing error on a double steal. We got beat by a very good Oklahoma team. They didn’t make mistakes,” said Myers. “We did. When you are playing good teams, you can’t make mistakes.”

Never-the-less, Myers and his team have nothing to be ashamed of. In the four years since taking the helm at Auburn, the Tigers have gone from being a middle of the pack SEC team to one of the most feared and respected teams in the sport.

Auburn has been an SEC Tourney Champion, hosted three Super Regionals, and came within one run of winning a national championship. Make no mistake this team is special. They may not have won a championship yet but they have set the bar high for all those who follow.

They have changed the culture at Auburn from one of expecting to have a good team to one of expecting to win championships. And with a top recruiting class coming in, you can bet the Tigers will be back in the chase for a national championship in 2018 …

Count on it!

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