Through 6.1 innings, Lauren Haeger had a no-hitter. Then, Auburn's Caitlin Jordan spoiled the fun.
Jordan's one-out home run in the seventh halted history, but it was not enough as the Gators defeated the Tigers 3-1 on Saturday, clinching the weekend series.
Haeger (11-2) tied a career-high mark with 11 strikeouts in her seventh complete game of the season, retiring 19 of the first 20 Auburn batters she faced. The only batter to reach base before Jordan's long shot was Jordan, who walked with two outs in the first frame.
The only other Tiger to reach base was Elizabeth Eisterhold, who knocked a two-out single into left field in the seventh.
Florida (37-5, 17-2 Southeastern Conference) proved more successful at the plate than Auburn (26-17, 5-13 SEC), pushing three runs across for the second consecutive game. However, UF did not get on the scoreboard quickly.
The Gators didn't notch their first runs until the bottom of the fifth when Michelle Moultrie smacked a two-run double to right-center field. Katie Medina and Kasey Fagan, who reached base on back-to-back singles with one out, scored on Moultrie's hit.
Florida added an insurance run the next inning, scored by Briana Little. Little subbed in as a pinch runner for Haeger, who led off the frame with a single. Little then stole second, reached third on a wild third strike to Jessica Damico and scored on fielder's choice by Ensley Gammel.
The victory on Saturday marks the Gators' seventh consecutive series win against an SEC opponent. They will try for their fifth series sweep of a conference foe Sunday at 1 p.m.
