Baseball falls to Florida in deciding game of series

Despite taking a huge win from the No. 6 Florida Gators Thursday night, May 14, the Tigers fell 3-1 in the final game of the series.

The long awaited return of Keegan Thompson proved promising. The sophomore started for the first time since April 18. 

Thompson was lifted after two innings, two strikeouts and 29 pitches because of a hard pitch count. Right-hander Dalton Rentz replaced him.

Coach Sunny Golloway said before the game he was hoping to get three innings from Thompson, but ultimately wanted the outing to rehab and restore confidence in the young pitcher.

“He competed and we knew that he would," Golloway said. 

Auburn took the lead in the second when a wild pitch brought home Kyler Deese. 

Florida first baseman, Peter Alonso, answered in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run, his third of the year. 

The score remained at a standstill with solid fielding and pitching changes from Florida.

Starting Gator right-hander Alex Faedo ended his day with one out in fifth. Closer Taylor Lewis came in and held the Tigers with a groundout inning ending double play from Anfernee Grier.

After Deese committed an error in the sixth, Izaac Yarbrough entered the game to relieve Rentz. 

Yarbrough lost the tie to a home run from Gator third baseman Josh Tobias which scored two.

Pinch hitter Jordan Ebert was walked in the top of the ninth with two outs, prompting the tying run for Jackson Burgreen. 

Florida sought bullpen help from senior left-hander Bobby Poyner. The contest concluded with a flyout from Burgreen, giving the Tigers a loss for the series.

“We had our opportunities, we just didn’t take advantage,” Golloway said.

One more win from the Tigers solidifies a spot for Auburn in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are looking to take the win Tuesday, May 19, as either the ninth or 10th seed, depending on the outcome of tonight’s South Carolina versus LSU game.