For the first five innings, the Auburn Tigers were being no-hit by the visiting Binghamton Bearcats.
But when the sixth inning rolled around, the dormant Auburn offense exploded, accounting for 13 runs in the next three innings, as they defeated the visiting Bearcats 13-2, Sunday, Feb. 15.
Jordan Ebert, who led the Tigers (2-1) with three RBIs on three hits--and also drew a pair of walks, said he couldn't have been prouder of his teammates.
"I challenged this team in the bottom of the sixth inning and told them that we have to earn this 'AU' on our chest," Ebert said. "I'm just so proud of this team and what we accomplished today, because today was a big stepping stone for this team."
Binghamton (1-2) took the lead in the second inning, getting a run after Alex Polston's throw to first went over Kyler Deese's head, getting Jason Agresti on base. Following a double by Paul Rufo, Agresti scored on a fielder's choice by Polston.
Rocky McCord settled down after that, throwing five innings and allowing three hits and one unearned run.
McCord was relieved after the fifth inning by Robby Clements, who threw three innings with four hits and one run allowed.
Anfernee Gried the sixth inning off with a triple that bounced off the left-center gap wall. Damon Haecker drew a walk, and Cody Nulph was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Ebert, who then roped a single into right field to tie the game.
After the smoke had cleared, Auburn found itself up 4-1.
"We were faced with some adversity after losing yesterday, and we talked to our guys about focus," said head coach Sunny Golloway. "We want to manufacture runs in the first three innings, we want to seize the moment, and we want to get control of the game in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings; we did a good job of phase 2 and 3 today."
The Tigers tacked on three more in the seventh, two from pinch-hitter Bo Decker roped a double down the left field line. JJ Shaffer drove in Decker with a single two batters later.
Binghamton managed to scrape another run across in the top of the seventh, but Auburn piled on six more runs in the bottom of the eighth, when Auburn batted around, beginning and ending with Kyler Deese.
Justin Camp came on to finish the game, pitching a perfect ninth inning to seal the win for the Tigers, and give them momentum heading into the Tuesday, Feb. 17, matchup with South Alabama in Mobile.
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