Auburn took on the University of Southern California Sunday in a nail-biting ending to the series. After two adrenaline-filled games against the Trojans, the Tigers left Plainsman Park with a 12-12 tie in game three.
“Something is unsettling for sure, but a lot of strengths in our ball club tonight,” said head coach Butch Thompson.
The game was forced to end in a tie due to a 3:30 p.m. curfew, so USC could fly back to Los Angeles after the series was unexpectedly moved to Auburn.
Bats saw a lot of action all day and both teams were neck-and-neck most of the game. USC was able to score four runs with two back-to-back two-run home runs in the top of the first and again scored four in the top of the fourth. USC executed offensively in the back half as well — scoring three runs in the seventh.
The Tigers approached the plate aggressively to match USC’s offense. Freshman Ike Irish squeezed in an RBI triple, followed by senior Bryson Ware smacking his second home run of the season. Irish went 4-for-5 Sunday with the most hits for the Tigers.
“I thought we played excellent offense, not just good offense, excellent offense, especially these past two days,” Thompson said.
Things got dramatic entering the ninth with a tie score of 12-12. USC catcher Connor Clift got a hit sending outfielder Carson Wells home, but Wells didn’t touch the plate resulting in out number two of the ninth. Senior Kason Howell closed the top of the inning with an energetic catch in left-center.
Pressure was intense in the bottom of the fifth. With the score tied 8-8 and bases loaded, right fielder Justin Kirby knocked one out of the park for a grand slam. Kirby also smacked one over the left-field wall in the fourth inning. Kirby has accumulated five home runs and seven RBIs so far in his rookie season with the Tigers.
“Every game I go into I really just try to find a way to help a team win as much as I can,” Kirby said.
Auburn pitching got off to a slow start, with senior Chase Isbell starting on the mound. After the Trojans scored four in 11 pitches, freshman Zach Crotchfelt came in and snagged three strikeouts and two earned runs during his time on the bump. Parker Carlson was able to close it out for Auburn, earning zero runs and retiring one.
Veteran strong arm Joseph Gonzalez was out Sunday because of some pain in his arm, but Thompson plans to reevaluate him this week during practice.
“We pulled our number one pitcher out this weekend and still had a chance to sweep the series,” Thompson said.
The Tigers were agile in the infield today with athletic defensive plays from shortstop Cole Foster and second baseman, Caden Green. Foster was able to tie the score 4-4 with a line-drive single in the bottom of the second and got three hits at the plate. Green went 2-of-5.
The outfield saw some movement all throughout the game. Sophomore Mike Bello replaced redshirt senior Bobby Peirce in left field after the first inning and scored two runs for Auburn. Peirce left the game with some pain in his hamstrings. Thompson is hoping he will be ready to take the field soon.
The Tigers return to action Wednesday, March 1 against Florida A&M at Plainsman Park. Game time is set for 6 p.m. CST. The game will be televised on SEC Network+.
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