Auburn dropped another game to Oral Roberts University on Friday by a score of 8-7 in a game that ended in a very controversial way. This marks the fifth Auburn loss in a row.
The Golden Eagles scored the first four runs through the top of the third, and it looked as though they would coast to a big win. Auburn responded in the bottom of the third with three runs, followed by another two in the fourth. Auburn held a 5-4 advantage through the fifth inning.
In the top of the sixth inning, Justin Camp went over 100 pitches, and the Oral Roberts bats got hot. Oral Roberts scored four runs in the sixth inning, two allowed by Camp while the other two came off of Ben Braymer.
Auburn and Oral Roberts traded defensive blows through the top of the ninth, leaving the score 8-5 with only one more chance for Auburn.
The inning started with a double from Jordan Ebert, marking his third hit of the night. Following Ebert, Niko Buentello singled to right field to put runners on the corners.
After a wild pitch, Buentello stole second, then Blake Logan was walked to load the bases. The following batter, Jackson Burgreen, was walked, bringing in one run to make the score 8-6 with the bases loaded.
Kyler Deese hit a sacrifice fly, bringing in another run to make the score 8-7 with runners at the corners and only one out. Cody Nulph then squeezed, but Blake Logan was called out at home. J.J. Shaffer went to the plate with two outs and two runners on base, and he fought off a full count to walk and load the bases.
Anfernee Grier walked up with two outs and bases loaded. Grier subsequently grounded into a fielder's choice on a 2-0 count, but most in Plainsman Park believed the game-winning out was a foul ball.
“We believe 100 percent that the ball is foul right there, but I’m not sure we deserved to win a lot of that ballgame, and it doesn't make any difference to me,” said Auburn head coach Butch Thompson. “I do disagree with the call, but its a three-man crew and when we get to SEC play we will have a four-man crew. So we didn't have anyone to argue with, and I don't know how we can reverse that call with a three-man crew. You would have to have a fourth man there, which is probably why the SEC has gone to that legislation, for that instance right there.”
For Oral Roberts, the major standout was Matt Whatley, as he was 2-5 with four RBIs coming off of a triple and a three-run home run.
The Tigers will be back in action against the Golden Eagles on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Plainsman Park.
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