Fans will have to wait until next spring to see another Auburn team run onto the diamond.
Hours after the Tigers’ softball team was eliminated from the Women’s College World Series, the baseball team fell to College of Charleston, 3-2, on Sunday, May 31, in Tallahassee, Florida.
The loss eliminated the Tigers from the NCAA Tournament.
Both teams went down in order in the first inning, and a rain delay halted the game before the second inning could begin.
The game was suspended and the teams resumed play after a six hour and 20 minute delay.
Charleston didn’t take long to break the scoreless tie.
In the Cougars’ first at-bat following the delay, Nick Pappas hit a two-run home run off Auburn’s starting pitcher Dalton Rentz to give Charleston a 1-0 lead.
Auburn fought back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, starting when Charleston starter Nathan Helvey issued a one-out walk to Daniel Robert, and Robert advanced to second on Anfernee Grier’s infield single. Damon Haecker singled to left field to bring in Robert and even the runs.
The Tigers were able to capture the lead in their next at-bat when leadoff batter Jackson Burgreen walked and then stole second with two outs. After Helvey issued a second consecutive walk to Melvin Gray, Jordan Ebert singled to drive in Burgreen.
Auburn reliever Robby Clements kept the Cougars’ bats quiet until the top of the seventh.
Blake Butler led off with a walk before Nick Pappas launched his second homer of the game to give Charleston a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish.
Carter Love pitched one and two-thirds innings of hitless ball for Charleston to earn the save.
The Tigers finished the season with a record of 36-26.
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