AUBURN, Ala. – Coming off their SEC opening series win over Vanderbilt, 16th ranked Auburn blew open another win over Alabama State at Plainsman Park Tuesday night. The Tigers beat up on the Hornets, earning their 17th win of the season, 13-9.
Auburn scored first in the bottom of the first as a Cooper McMurray double brought around Eric Snow for the game’s first run. However, ASU was not going to let the Tigers ride away with an easy win and took the lead in the top of the second as Kameron Douglas stepped on the first pitch and sent it over the center field wall to give the Hornets a 2-1 advantage.
Auburn didn’t let up either, scoring three in the bottom half to take the lead right back. Eric Guevara smacked a double to the gap in right center scoring Cade Belyeu and Deric Fabian before Bub Terrell hit a base knock to right to score Guevara. Auburn held Alabama State scoreless in the top of the third, and added another run on a Cade Belyeu single in the bottom half. Auburn entered the fourth up 5-2.
The scoring was just getting started however, as ASU scored four in the top half of the fourth on singles from DeMarckus Smiley and Devin Chandler and a double from Alex Espaillat, giving them a 6-5 lead. Then came the big at bat from the Tigers. Auburn loaded the bases in the bottom half and Lucas Steele stepped up and took the 2-0 pitch to deep right center for the second grand slam in two games for the Tigers, breaking open the lead.
Auburn scored a couple more down the stretch to add a little bit of insurance on an Eric Snow solo homer, a Chase Fralick single, and a wild pitch that allowed Deric Fabian to score his second run of the ballgame. ASU responded with a few of their own, including one in the top of the ninth, but Auburn just had a little bit more, taking the weeknight matchup, 13-9.
Five pitchers took the mound for Auburn, with Jett Johnson earning his third win on the season in relief. Johnson pitched 2.1 innings for the Tigers, striking out two and allowing no hits or runs. Carson Myers earned a rare three inning save, striking out a batter and only allowing one run on three hits. Auburn’s offense was of course led by Lucas Steele, who’s only hit of the night provided four RBIs. Chase Fralick and Eric Guevara both added two RBIs of their own and Auburn improved to 17-4.
Auburn heads to Lexington to take on 24th ranked Kentucky in a three game weekend set this upcoming weekend. First pitch is at 5:30 p.m. CDT on Friday and then at 1:00 p.m. CDT on both Saturday and Sunday. The Friday and Saturday game can be listened to on the Auburn Sports Network and you can watch the Sunday game live on SEC Network.
