An impressive pitching performance by Auburn ace Jenee Loree wasn’t enough to lead the Tigers past No. 5 Tennessee in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Thursday.
For the second straight season, Tennessee knocked Auburn out of the tournament on the first day with a 2-1 win in the quarterfinal round.
The Tigers (33-21) only scratched out three hits, a walk and that lone run against Volunteers starter Ellen Renfroe.
Pitching as Auburn’s starter, Loree gave up four hits, three walks and two runs in five innings of work. Loree only struck out three, but she kept the Tigers into the game.
“I’m really proud of the way we played today,” Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. “Obviously, we would have liked to get the win but we came out and played really well. We were aggressive, played we up the middle defensively and made Tennessee work. Jenee (Loree) did a very good job against their hitters.”