AUBURN, Ala. — No. 11 Auburn (29-14, 10-10) fell to Mississippi State (25-18, 7-13) 12-7 in game two of the three-game series on Saturday night. The Tigers struggled on the mound throughout the night and could not muster enough runs to overcome an early deficit.
“I think we have a good plan after watching last night in the preparation this week, but the execution was lacking today,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said.
The Bulldogs started the game hot Saturday night. Before the sunset at Plainsman Park, the Bulldogs had already built a four-run lead on two two-run home runs in the top of the first inning. Auburn starter Cade Fisher struggled and would exit after the first inning.
Auburn held the Bulldogs in check over the next two innings after senior reliever John Armstrong came in in relief, but the Bulldogs' offense once again broke loose in the fourth inning. Mississippi State scored six runs in the frame, batting through the order while recording six hits against three different Auburn relievers. The Bulldogs added two more runs in the eighth and ninth innings, scoring 12 total runs in the game.
Auburn’s offense produced, but not at a high enough rate to overcome the struggles on the mound. The Tigers scored one run in the third, fifth, sixth innings, and two runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
The first run of the game came on an RBI double from freshman outfielder Bub Terrell. Catcher Chase Fralick, third baseman Eric Guevara, second baseman Chris Rembert, and shortstop Deric Fabian each hit solo home runs to account for four more Auburn runs through the seventh inning.
In the eighth inning, Auburn scored two runs on an RBI single from designated hitter Lucas Steele. Despite the impressive show of power from Auburn’s lineup, the home runs were not enough for Auburn to overcome Mississippi State’s lead.
“All our home runs were solos,” Thompson said. “All their there seemed to except for one, I think, had had runners on and was just, you know, too much water to carry on tonight.”
The Tigers' efforts to secure the series win were unsuccessful on Saturday, but they will have another shot to win the series on Sunday afternoon. The first pitch of game two is set for 2:00 p.m. and will air on the Auburn Sports Network and SECN+.
