It was bound to happen at some point.

Auburn’s bats were just too much for No. 9 Clemson on Saturday, as the SEC’s Tigers pounded out 13 hits, including a two-run home run by AnnaLea Adams in a 10-5 victory in Clemson’s fourth game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

Auburn (3-1) made sure the Cardiac Cats of Clemson did not have another comeback, as it scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning, one in the sixth and added four more in the seventh inning to put the game away. Clemson rallied to beat Southeastern Louisiana in extra innings on Thursday and then scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat No. 5 Oregon on Friday.

However, there was no comeback on Saturday. Adams home run in the top of the first inning got things rolling for Auburn and it never looked back from there.

Though there was not a comeback, it does not mean the Tigers did not try. Clemson tried to rally after falling behind 3-0 in the third inning.

Clemson (3-1) added a run in the bottom of third inning after Corri Hicks knocked a base hit to right field, which allowed Mac Pavese to come all the way home on a throwing error. In the fourth inning, Sarah Rocheleau scored on another Auburn error, cutting the lead to 3-2.

But Clemson could not keep the momentum going, as Haven Roebuck and MaNia Womack got RBI hits in the fifth and sixth innings to ultimately push the Auburn lead to four runs, 6-2. 

Clemson was able to add two more unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with both runs coming with two outs.

Marian Collins scored on a fielding error thanks to Auburn second baseman Destiny Rodriguez. Jamison Brockenbrough singled on the next at-bat to score Taylor Pipkins from second base. However, Auburn got out of the inning as Brockenbrough tried to stretch a single into a double.

Four Auburn errors allowed Clemson to stay in the game as long as it did, as Clemson trailed just 6-4 going into the seventh inning.

However, Auburn answered Clemson’s rally with one of their own in the seventh inning. Daigle Wilson had an RBI single through the right side, Kylie Brockman, who had 3 RBIs, doubled to right field to plate two more runs and Alyssa Hastings added another RBI single as part of a four-run inning.

Clemson tried one more rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it was not enough. Collins, who went 2-for-3 at the plate, drove in a run with a base hit to right field with one out, but the Tigers left runners stranded at second and third to end the game.

UP NEXT

Clemson will conclude its play in the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Sunday (10 a.m.) against Michigan State.