After defeating the Sacramento State Hornets 10-5 on Friday, Feb. 19, Auburn once again took the field against the Hornets on Saturday, Feb. 20, however this time they couldn't pull it off. The Tigers fell to Sacramento State by a score of 6-5.
After what was a slow start for both teams, junior outfielder Joshua Palacios kicked off the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. In the top of the fifth inning, Andrew McWilliam of Sacramento State evened the score with a home run of his own.
Auburn drove in one run in the bottom of the fifth, making it 2-1. Sacramento State pulled in one run in the top of the sixth before the Auburn bats got hot. With two Tigers on base, Niko Buentello walked up to the plate and hit a 3-run home run to give Auburn a 5-2 lead.
After a scoreless seventh inning, the Tigers entered the eighth with a comfortable lead, and were six outs away from another win. Sacramento State came out swinging, and with the help of a 2-run home run from Chris Lewis, they were able to score four runs, giving Sacramento State their first lead of the game.
The Hornets then inserted Tyler Beardsley to close out the game in the bottom of the eighth. Beardsley held the Tigers hitless in the eighth. Izaac Yarbrough returned the favor in the top of the ninth, leaving Auburn with just a one-run deficit.
The Tigers checked in a pinch hitter, Kyler Deese, who immediately got on base. Catcher Blake Logan stepped up to the plate and hit a near-perfect bunt only to be thrown out at first but not before Deese made it to second.
After one pop-up out, Anfernee Grier took the plate with the game-tying run on second. Grier eventually grounded out, leaving Auburn just shy of the win.
The good news for the Tigers is after they made seven errors Friday, they were able to record zero errors in today's game. With the offense clicking last night and the defense improving Saturday, the Tigers hope they can put both together as they move on with the rest of the season.
“We had an errorless day today, and the bullpen depth is what reared its head today.” said Auburn coach Butch Thompson. “Their pitcher was the difference today, not the starter that started off so good but the guy that came in right behind the starter [during] the second at bat. He went four and two-thirds [innings], and I thought he took the sting out of our swing and was the difference.”
The Tigers will complete the series on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. at Plainsman Park.
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