There are moments in sports that put the game second and the athletes first. 

LSU pitcher Kelley Lynch threw a no-hitter against Auburn on Saturday, creating the 2-0 win. 

It was the annual ovarian cancer awareness game, which was even more special for Lynch. 

At 11 years old, she lost her father to cancer. 

After Lynch threw the last pitch to keep Auburn hitless and scoreless, her team surrounded her in a hug, celebrating a moment bigger than the score. 

“It was a pretty emotional game… It felt like it was written before we even took the field,” Head coach Beth Torina said. “It’s kind of one of those ‘meant to be’s… it was a special day, especially for Kelly Lynch.”

Saturday’s game was LSU’s only win. The Auburn Tigers came into Baton Rouge and left with a 2-1 series victory. 

In the first game, LSU lost 3-2. When the Tigers thought their momentum was back after game two, they lost 3-1 in the series finale. 

Shortstop Taylor Pleasants said the message from these losses is “put it behind us.” 

Here are key moments from LSU’s three games against Auburn:

Game 1, fourth inning: Karli Petty’s home run

After a scoreless two innings, Petty took matters into her own hands. 

With two outs and a runner on second, she turned hard on an inside pitch and sent it flying over the right field fence. 

Scoring herself and pinch runner Savanna Bedell, Petty provided LSU’s first and only runs of the game.

Game 1, seventh inning: Maddox McKee’s error

LSU and Auburn were tied going into the top of the seventh. Auburn’s leadoff batter Anna Wohlers doubled to left then advanced to third on a sacrifice fly. 

After a strikeout, walk and stolen base, Auburn had runners on second and third with two outs. 

Junior Icess Tresvik was at the plate and hit a ground ball to third, but freshman Maddox McKee bobbled and ultimately let the third run score.

LSU wasn’t able to score in the bottom of the seventh, so Auburn took Game 1 of the series.

Game 2, third inning: McKenzie Redoutey’s two-run home run

Both Tiger teams were scoreless in the third inning. Then, right fielder McKenzie Redoutey blasted a home run to the center field bleachers. Sierra Daniel also scored. 

It was Redoutey’s first game as the leadoff hitter, and she produced the only runs for the Tigers. Because of this hit, LSU won 2-0. 

“I’m thankful that coach believes in me,” Redoutey said. “Wherever she puts me, I will try to always do my best.”

Game 2: Kelley Lynch’s no-hitter

Lynch threw her first career seven-inning no-hitter. She had another five-inning no-hit game last season for Washington.

Lynch dealt nine strikeouts and only walked three batters. 

“That was my priority today. To first off get the win for our team, but also hone-in on my command,” Lynch said. “I feel like I did a good job of that.”

The last time an LSU pitcher threw a no-hitter at home against an SEC opponent was in 2001. 

Game 3, first inning: Raeleen Gutierrez RBI

LSU put runs on the board early in Game 3.

Ali Newland reached first on a fielder’s choice then stole second on the first pitch to Gutierrez. After a quick mound visit from Auburn, Gutierrez singled up the middle to score the first run of the game.

Gutierrez’s RBI was the only run for the Tigers in game three.

Game 3, fourth inning: Auburn’s three-run inning

Unlike LSU, Auburn remained scoreless until the fourth inning. 

With runners on second and third, junior Annabelle Widra singled to right field, scoring two runs and advancing Axe Milanowski to third. 

After the two-run rally from Auburn, Torina replaced LSU pitcher Raelin Chaffin with Sydney Berzon to finish the game.

Widra stole second, and after a throw-down from catcher Maci Bergeron, Milanowski scored, increasing Auburn’s runs to three.

After losing the series, LSU has nothing left to do but look ahead and begin preparations for its next game.

The Tigers will face University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Tiger Park.