Auburn softball hosts Alabama in key SEC matchup

Tigers look to even series after narrow loss in game one

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:34pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicts the action and energy of a softball game between the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, with players and the field deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes.A fractured, cubist-inspired illustration captures the intensity and drama of the softball rivalry between Auburn and Alabama.Auburn Today

The Auburn Tigers softball team (23-17, 2-11 SEC) will host the Alabama Crimson Tide (37-3, 10-3 SEC) in the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, April 11. After falling 1-0 in a close game one, the Tigers will look to bounce back and even the series against their in-state rivals.

Why it matters

This SEC matchup between two top programs in the region is an important conference battle that could impact the standings and postseason positioning for both teams. Auburn is seeking to pull off an upset against the highly-ranked Tide, while Alabama aims to maintain its strong start to the season.

The details

In the series opener, Auburn sophomore pitcher Ella Harrison had a strong outing, allowing just one run on eight hits and three strikeouts. However, Alabama's Jena Young tripled and scored the decisive run in the fifth inning to give the Tide the 1-0 victory. The Tigers fought hard and are looking to push through and get a win in game two.

  • The second game of the Auburn-Alabama series will be played on Saturday, April 11.
  • Game one was played on Friday, April 10, with Alabama winning 1-0.

The players

Ella Harrison

A sophomore pitcher for the Auburn Tigers who had a strong outing in the series opener against Alabama, allowing just one run.

Jena Young

An Alabama player who tripled and scored the winning run in the fifth inning of game one against Auburn.

Chris Malveaux

The co-head coach of the Auburn Tigers softball team, who said the team 'brought a lot to the game' in the close loss to Alabama.

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What they’re saying

“We brought a lot to the game tonight. We fought. It was important to feel how close we were, and tomorrow we've got to push through.”

— Chris Malveaux, Co-head coach, Auburn Tigers softball

What’s next

The third and final game of the Auburn-Alabama series will be played on Sunday, April 12.

The takeaway

This close loss to their in-state rival Alabama shows that the Auburn Tigers softball team is capable of competing with one of the top programs in the SEC. If they can build on this performance and get a win in game two, it could provide a much-needed boost for their conference and postseason aspirations.