AUBURN, Ala. – After going up 3-0 on Jacksonville State in the early going, Auburn gave up three unanswered runs to the Gamecocks. As they headed into the ninth tied, the Tigers needed a big swing to change their midweek misfortune.
Lucas Steele provided that big swing.
The No. 6 Auburn Tigers (27-10) defeated the JSU Gamecocks (21-16) 4-3 behind late-game heroics, stellar starting pitching and highlight defensive plays.
Auburn junior pinch hitter Lucas Steele stepped up to the plate in the ninth inning of a tie ballgame needing to provide a spark for the Tigers' offense, which had grown stagnant since its three early runs. With one swing, he changed all the momentum, sending a frozen rope into th Gamecocks “Cocky Corner” in right field. The homer was Steele’s fourth on the season, but it was undoubtedly his biggest.
While Steele stole the show late, the story of the early innings was Auburn starting pitcher Christian Chatterton. The freshman right-hander went six innings of perfect baseball before losing his perfecto on an infield single in the top of the seventh. Although he would not get the win, the Tigers liked what they saw out of the freshman, who continues to prove he is capable of pitching at a high level in the SEC.
For the Gamecocks, this loss increased their losing streak to five games. The Gamecocks will return to action in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they will face off against the New Mexico State Aggies.
The Tigers will head out to the Lone Star State for their next matchup against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns in what will certainly be an eye-popping series. First pitch between the Tigers and Longhorns will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Austin.
