Mickey Dean era with Auburn softball comes to close in loss to FSU at Tallahassee Regional
The coach Mickey Dean era with Auburn softball is officially over.
After beating UCF in a thriller Saturday evening that lasted more than four hours and featured star senior Maddie Penta striking out a program-record 21 batters in 12 innings, the Tigers couldn't find a way to top Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional on Sunday, falling to the Seminoles, 10-4.
The loss not only puts an end to Auburn's season, but also Dean's seven-year tenure on the Plains. Dean arrived at Auburn ahead of the 2018 season, and with the exception of 2020, when the postseason was canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, he's led the Tigers to a regional appearance each year. He finishes his time at Auburn with a record of 235-129-1.
Dean announced in March that he plans to step down from his position at season's end. The plan is for him to begin in a new role as a special assistant to athletics director John Cohen.
FOOTBALL: Auburn adds to Class of 2025 with commitment from 3-star CB Dante Core
HOOPS: Auburn basketball fills need at forward with SMU transfer Ja'Heim Hudson
It falls apart for Auburn softball in sixth inning
With Penta throwing 224 pitches against the Knights, and also tossing 33 against Chattanooga earlier in the day Saturday, the Tigers opted to start senior lefty Shelby Lowe in their matchup with Florida State. Lowe was solid in her effort − she finished with eight strikeouts in five innings − but she let up a three-run home run in the top of the third and loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth.
Dean turned to Penta with the bases loaded. Penta struck out the first two batters she faced before walking in a run. Two consecutive singles following the walk and a three-run blast immediately after put Auburn in a hole it couldn't climb out of.
Nelia Peralta comes through with pair of RBIs
The Tigers briefly led after Nelia Peralta junior infielder Nelia Peralta drove in two runs in the bottom of the second inning. It was Peralta's first multi-RBI game since she knocked in two runs in a win over UAB on April 9.
Annabelle Widra and KK McCrary also added RBIs with a single and home run, respectively.
What's next
Auburn's season is over, and all eyes turn to Cohen as he searches for Dean's replacement.
Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rich_silva18.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Mickey Dean: Auburn softball's season comes to close with loss to FSU
