AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn (26-25, 8-21) defeated No. 21 Alabama (32-21, 12-7) 12-11 in game two to win the series over the cross-state rival. Friday was an ugly day in Auburn, Alabama. It rained the majority of the day and game two of Auburn's series with Alabama was in doubt. Ultimately it was decided the game would be played after an hour-long delay. Through the first few innings, the Tigers seemed sluggish and so did Plainsman Park. What was expected to be a sold-out crowd on a Friday night was around half that after Friday's rain.
Alabama jumped out to an early lead scoring a run in the top of the first and Auburn managed just one hit through the first three innings. Part of the issue may have been the inconsistent strike zone from the home plate umpire. After shortstop Cooper Weiss struck out looking to close the third inning, Butch Thompson decided he'd had enough.
Thompson exited the dugout making his feelings known before crossing over the third base line and making his way to the first base line confronting the home plate umpire. That would be all it took for Thompson to be ejected. The mostly stoic crowd through the first three innings of the game rose to their feet in applause as Thompson walked back across the field and into the Auburn clubhouse.
"I think Coach Thompson you know had a question maybe about a strike and I don't think he planned on getting thrown out," Auburn associate head coach Karl Nonemaker said. But when it happened you can tell how much everybody loves him. Then they answered. (The) guys upped their intensity level."
Whether Thompson intended for his ejection to spark his team and the Auburn fans or not, it did. Alabama would add another run in the top of the fourth, but Auburn's bats came alive in the bottom half of the inning. The Tigers recorded four hits in the inning including three doubles and one triple. The huge inning resulted in six runs propelling the Tigers into the lead.
Auburn would not stop there. The Tigers extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth scoring six more runs after a single from catcher Carter Wright that drove in two runs and a three-run home run from first baseman Cooper McMurray. Leftfielder Cade Belyeu would then add to the lead with a solo shot before the inning came to a close.
Auburn's offense gave starter Chase Allsup plenty of insurance, but he pitched well. Allsup threw six and two-thirds innings allowing two earned runs with five strikeouts. The bullpen, however, struggled in relief. Auburn's bullpen surrendered six earned runs and nine runs overall allowing Alabama to cut the lead to one run in the ninth inning. While making things interesting, the bullpen buckled down in the end stranding the game-tying run on third to secure the series win.
Maybe it was pent-up frustration of how the season has gone or maybe it was simply too many missed calls, whatever it was that led to Thompson's ejection Friday night, it lit a spark in his players. Despite the subpar season overall winning the series against Alabama matters. It matters a lot to both Auburn players and fans alike. Thompson's ejection will be remembered for helping Auburn win the 2024 version of the series.
Auburn now has the chance to sweep the Tide on Saturday. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on the SEC Network and the Auburn Sports Network.
"It's exciting to into (Saturday) in our game three with a series win for the first time in a little while, but it won't change anything," Nonemaker said.
