AUBURN, Ala. — No. 9 Auburn (24-10, 7-6) defeated No. 3 LSU (31-4, 10-3) 8-4 Friday night to open the three-game series with a win. Auburn entered the series having won each of their home SEC series this season, but LSU entered having won nine straight. Auburn broke that streak on Friday.
Auburn set the tone in the second inning taking a two-run lead on an RBI double from catcher Chase Fralick. The game held steady until the fifth. Then, as the rain came pouring down and the stands began to clear out, Auburn’s offense caught fire.
Auburn scored four runs in the frame. Auburn loaded the bases after two singles and an error by LSU. Right fielder Ike Irish then hit a bases-clearing triple to drive in the runs. First baseman Cooper McMurray kept the hot hitting going with an RBI single to drive in Irish.
After the big fifth inning, Auburn led 5-0, but the Tigers did not stop there. Auburn added another run in both the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth inning, DH Chris Rembert hit an RBI single, and in the seventh third baseman Eric Guevara delivered with an RBI single.
“We just did a great job of creating enough offense,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said.
As good as Auburn’s offense was on Friday, Auburn starting pitcher Sam Dutton was arguably better. Dutton threw six innings allowing just three hits and zero runs against his former team. He also added seven strikeouts. With the win, Dutton moved to 5-2 on the year.
“Sam Dutton, he’s been really good for us,” Thompson said.
LSU would score three runs in the seventh inning after Auburn moved to the bullpen, but Auburn’s big lead gave the Tigers some wiggle room and they were able to secure the victory after Carson Myers threw 2.2 innings in relief to close out the game.
Auburn will have the opportunity to win the series on Saturday and keep the home SEC series winning streak alive. The first pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. on the Auburn Sports Network and the SECN+.
