No. 5 Auburn scores three in ninth, walks off No. 2 Texas in opening game

No. 5 Auburn baseball took game one of its three-game weekend series against No. 2 Texas on Friday night, 4-3, thanks to a strong pitching performance and a ninth-inning walk-off. 

The comeback win marks the Tigers' 12th straight victory and their second straight win against a top-five opponent. Auburn will look to take the series with a win in either Saturday's or Sunday's matchup.

It was more of the same from Auburn’s ace Jake Marciano, as the lefty hurled seven one-run innings for the Tigers, allowing just two hits and striking out nine batters. Marciano, whose 0.93 ERA entering the game ranked in the top three in the SEC among starters, helped keep the Tigers in the game despite a scoring drought in the middle innings. 

“That was definitely the game of my life,” Marciano said. “I’ve never had that much fun in my life. I'm really happy to start off the series like that.” 

Marciano and Texas pitcher Ruger Riojas, the SEC leader in strikeouts entering the game, dueled for seven innings each, leaving the game knotted at 1-1 heading into the eighth inning.

“The two starting pitchers were as advertised and worth the price of admission. Both guys were amazing,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. “It was a great atmosphere tonight all the way around... This is about as good of a pitching run as we’ve had since I’ve been here, especially with the starters.”

After scoring immediately in the top of the first thanks to back-to-back doubles from second baseman Chris Rembert and catcher Chase Fralick, Auburn went on a seven-inning scoring drought. 

Texas scored its first run off Marciano in the fourth inning on a solo home run from center fielder Aiden Robbins to tie the game. 

Each team squandered multiple scoring opportunities. Texas had two runners on in the fifth inning with just one out, but a strikeout followed by a fielder’s choice stranded the go-ahead run at second. 

Auburn’s best chance to score came in the seventh inning. After loading the bases and chasing Longhorns starter Riojas from the game with just one out, Auburn grounded into an inning-ending double play that shifted the momentum to Texas.

Auburn reliever Jett Johnston came in during the eighth inning and pitched a scoreless frame for the Tigers. In the bottom of the inning, Auburn failed to score despite getting two runners on base. 

Texas broke the tie in the top of the ninth when Robbins hit his second home run of the game. Left fielder Anthony Pack Jr. added an insurance run on an RBI fielder’s choice, putting the Longhorns up 3-1.

Auburn entered the bottom of the ninth needing to score two runs to keep the game alive. Right fielder Mason McCraine led off the inning with his second hit of the night, a double to right-center field. First baseman Ethin Bingaman followed with a four-pitch walk, putting the tying run on base.

Senior designated hitter Lucas Steele recorded his second hit of the night in the following at-bat, hitting an infield single off the glove of Longhorns shortstop Adrian Rodriguez to load the bases. 

Texas recorded one strikeout before Auburn manager Butch Thompson called on junior Bristol Carter to pinch hit in a key situation. Carter delivered a line-drive single up the middle that was misplayed by Robbins in center field, allowing all Auburn baserunners to score. The Tigers plated three runs in the bottom of the ninth, capping off an incredible comeback victory.

“I was ready, and my name was called," Carter said. "I’ve never felt that way in my whole career in baseball, and we’re hoping for many more feelings like that to come,” 

The Tigers will continue their series against the Longhorns on Saturday night at 6 p.m. CST. Sophomore lefty Jackson Sanders will get the start on the mound for Auburn.