Alabama Tops Auburn in SEC Softball Opener

Alabama defeated Auburn 3-2 in the opening round of the SEC Softball Tournament at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Georgia, advancing to play South Carolina in the next round. Alabama's Jocelyn Briski pitched a complete game with eight strikeouts, overcoming an early Auburn home run by Nelia Peralta. Salen Hawkins and Kali Heivilin contributed key RBI hits for Alabama, while Auburn's ace SJ Geurin anchored their effort despite the loss. Both teams are projected for NCAA regional bids, with Alabama and Auburn ranked No. 17 and No. 18 in RPI, respectively. The tournament continues as LSU faces Mississippi State, and top seeds like Oklahoma await their entry in later rounds. The SEC event remains single elimination.