For the sixth time in program history, No. 4 Auburn advanced to the Super Regional round Monday night, defeating Milwaukee 8-3 behind a dominant performance from Jackson Sanders.
The starter-turned-reliever midseason provided just what Auburn needed, throwing five innings while allowing just one run and striking out eight batters.
Offensively, the Tigers were once again led by catcher Chase Fralick, who went 2-for-5 on the night with one home run and two RBIs. The sophomore has now homered in five straight games, becoming the first Tiger to do so since Tim Lemons in 1985.
“The whole team was locked in. Nothing went as planned,” Fralick said of the team’s four-game win streak. “I think today was the only game that we got through the whole nine innings without a delay. The team did a great job of staying locked in the whole time, and everybody performed the way that they needed to.”
Auburn’s offense started rolling right out of the gate as Fralick and Chris Rembert sparked a two-out rally with back-to-back singles. Ethin Bingaman capitalized, also singling through the right side to score Fralick and give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Auburn starter Jake Marciano followed this offensive production by recording two straight scoreless frames before the Tigers’ bats got back to work in the third. The Virginia Tech transfer totaled four innings while allowing six hits, two runs and striking out six.
In the third, Eric Guevara was able to get into scoring position after reaching on a fielder’s choice and picking up a stolen base. Auburn manufactured a run as Fralick grounded out to extend the lead to 2-0.
Milwaukee was able to respond in the fourth via a two-run shot from John Hadley to even the score at 2-2. The Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native recorded five extra-base hits in the regional.
Panthers pitchers Riley Peterson and Mason Weckler were able to settle in until the sixth, when Auburn’s bats came alive. Fralick led off the frame with a solo home run to center field to help the Tigers regain a 3-2 lead. The Peachtree City, Georgia, native went 9-for-22 with 15 RBIs and six home runs, earning All-Regional Team MVP honors.
Rembert and Bingaman kept pressure on the Panthers, both reaching base with no outs. Bub Terrell, who entered Monday night 1-for-17 at the plate, came through by doubling into right field, scoring Rembert and sending the record crowd of 8,228 at Plainsman Park into a frenzy. Brandon McCraine, Taylor Belza and Mason McCraine all drove in runs in the sixth as well to make it a 7-2 Auburn advantage.
In the eighth, Milwaukee got one run back courtesy of a leadoff solo home run from Charlie Marion, cutting the deficit to 7-3. Marion finished the evening 3-for-4.
In the home half of the frame, Auburn tacked on an insurance run as Brandon McCraine scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead back to five runs.
Sanders was able to work around a one-out double in the ninth to secure the victory, sending Auburn to its second straight home Super Regional.
The Tigers will host Ole Miss at Plainsman Park with a trip to the College World Series on the line. Game 1 will be Friday. Times and channels are TBA. Tickets will go on sale to the public Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CDT.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Rory Garvin, junior in journalism sports production, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Spring 2025. Garvin previously served as a Sports Reporter. He is currently serving as the Assistant Sports Editor.
