Bingaman powers No. 11 Auburn to series win over No. 14 Oklahoma

No. 11 Auburn’s bats were firing on all cylinders in Sunday’s 14-4 series-clinching win over No. 14 Oklahoma.

Led by first baseman Ethin Bingaman and third baseman Eric Guevara, the Tigers recorded six home runs and 10 extra-base hits en route to their fourth straight SEC series victory. The duo finished the matinee 7-for-9 combined.

“This is a pretty big team win against Oklahoma, who I think has, arguably to this point, the best culture that I’ve seen that we’ve competed against,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. “I’m thankful we were able to bounce back from last night and win a series.”

Auburn’s Alex Petrovic continued his stellar campaign, throwing six innings while allowing four hits and two runs to improve his record to 7-1 on the season. The redshirt sophomore has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his 11 outings.

“Grinding it out, working with what I have and making those small adjustments that needed to be made,” Petrovic said. “If I’m not going to have my stuff perfect, they better get me early, and get settled later. It’s amazing when you’ve got offense like that, watching all those home runs. They really put it together this game.”

The Sooners jumped on Petrovic right out of the gate, scoring two runs on back-to-back hits from Jaxon Willits and Camden Johnson to go up 2-0. It appeared Oklahoma was destined for more damage, but the right-hander forced a lineout and a strikeout to escape the jam.

In the home half of the frame with one out, Guevara smashed a double up the middle but was stranded after Chase Fralick struck out looking and Bingaman grounded out. Following Fralick’s at-bat, Thompson came out and had a lengthy chat with home plate umpire Micah Holmen regarding balls and strikes.

In the second, left fielder Bub Terrell led off for Auburn with a solo shot over the batter’s eye, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and marking the sophomore’s 10th home run of the season.

After Petrovic retired the Sooners in order in the third, the Tigers’ offense came ready to play. Fralick hit a towering no-doubt shot to right field, his ninth of the year, putting Auburn on top 3-2.

The orange and blue didn’t take their foot off the gas, as Bingaman joined the home run party, launching his sixth of the season to extend the lead to 4-2. Eight batters stepped to the plate during Auburn’s third-inning breakout.

The runs kept coming for Auburn in the fourth, as Guevara drove in Bristol Carter with a double to left-center field, putting the Tigers on top 5-2. The Panamanian finished the afternoon 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits and three RBIs.

Following a walk from Fralick, Bingaman blasted a three-run shot to right-center field for his second home run of the game, extending Auburn’s lead to 8-2. The Redlands, California, native recorded seven RBIs and three home runs.

After another scoreless frame from Petrovic, Auburn’s offense went back to work and plated two more runs on Guevara’s 10th home run of the season.

“Eric Guevara, 1,000%,” Terrell said when asked what brought about Auburn’s power surge in the last nine games. “We lean on him and we see him doing well. We’re just trying to follow him. It’s pretty unreal what he’s doing, and if we follow that, I feel like we’ll be in a good spot.”

Garrett Brewer relieved Petrovic of his duties in the seventh, giving the Sooners new life as they immediately loaded the bases with no outs. Thompson had seen enough and turned the ball over to veteran Ryan Hetzler.

The right-hander did his job, forcing three straight fly balls and allowing just one run to make it a 10-3 game.

In the eighth, Nolan Stevens helped the Sooners get on the board for the second straight inning with a solo shot to left-center field, cutting Auburn’s lead to 10-4.

In the bottom of the frame, Auburn manufactured a run with Chris Rembert grounding into a fielder’s choice to extend the advantage to 11-4.

With three runners aboard, Bingaman capped off his day by belting a three-run shot over the left-center field wall, putting the run-rule into effect and securing the 14-4 victory for Auburn.

“That was pretty incredible to watch,” Terrell said of Bingaman’s performance.

Auburn will return to action on the road Friday night against Texas A&M. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. CDT.