In a rematch of the 2022 Auburn regional, the Southeastern Louisiana Lions took two out of three games against the Auburn Tigers (12-3-1), handing them their first series loss of the season.
"We're trying to teach a group of players that it's more about the tenets of the game," Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. "It's not really who you play, meaning the opponent. It's not who you play, meaning which of our players are on the field. It's about how you play, and it's about ownership of home plate."
Tanner Bauman got the start for Auburn in the first game on Friday night. He pitched four innings, allowing one run off of seven hits, walking one batter and striking out three. Parker Carlson picked up his first win of the year for the Tigers, tossing one inning and striking two batters out. John Armstrong pitched 3.1 innings to pick up his first save of the season. He walked one batter and struck out one batter.
Brennan Stuprich got the start for Southeastern Louisiana. His 4.1 inning effort in which he allowed three runs off of six hits, walked two batters and struck three out earned him the loss.
Auburn took the lead in the third inning and never gave it up. Ike Irish doubled to left center which allowed Cole Foster and Kason Howell to score. Bryson Ware hit a sac-fly that scored Justin Kirby.
Jake Killingsworth doubled to right center to score Tyler Fine in the fifth inning. That was all of the scoring for the Lions in game one.
Foster hit a three-run shot in the sixth inning that also scored Howell and Nate LaRue. He also singled home Howell in the eighth inning. The Tigers ended up taking a 7-1 victory in game one.
Zach Crotchfelt got the start for Auburn in game two. He pitched five innings, allowed three hits, walked three batters and struck out five. Chase Isbell ended up with the loss for the Tigers, pitching 1.1 innings, allowing three runs off of two hits and striking out one batter.
Will Kinzeler got the start for Southeastern Louisiana in game two. He gave up three runs off of six hits, walked one batter and struck out five in five innings of work. Lance Lauve picked up the win for the Lions in two innings of work in which he walked one batter and struck out four. Jackson Rodriguez earned the save in two innings of work, only allowing two hits.
Auburn took a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning. The Lions answered, however, scoring eight unanswered runs in the final four innings to earn themselves a victory in game two.
"I just have so much respect for Southeastern Louisiana and how scrappy they are," Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. "They absolutely scrap and fight for every pitch.
Game three was moved up to Saturday due to the threat of inclement weather. Christian Herberholz started the game and took the loss for Auburn. He allowed three runs off of six hits, walked one batter and struck out three in three innings of work.
Andrew Landry got the start and the win for Southeastern Louisiana, allowing two runs off of four hits, walking five batters and striking five out in six innings of work. Lance Lauve earned the save for the Lions in 0.1 innings of work.
The Lions got off to a fast start offensively again and took an 8-2 lead into the ninth inning. The Tigers mounted a comeback, scoring five runs in the final inning, but fell just short.
Auburn will be back in action at home on Tuesday night when the Tigers host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (13-3, 2-1 ACC) at Plainsman Park. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. CT.
