Finding Ways to Win
The Tigers get a walk-off series win and show some resilience in the process
The Quick Recap
Another series secured. Auburn looked to be cruising to a series win after a huge 7 run second inning but Lipcomb answered right back with a big inning of their own. The Bisons used the longball to their advantage and kept keeping pressure on the Tigers. Despite the 10-8 deficit, Auburn clawed back. Chris Stanfield knocked an rbi single to make it a 1 run affair, Bryson Ware tied it with a 2 run HR, and Ike Irish delivered the walk off winner.
On the mound, Christian Herberholz was serviceable, going 3 innings, but Conner Kopeland was unable to find solid footing in the Top of the 4th and Lipcomb scored 6 two out runs.
Give credit to Chase Isbell. Despite getting rattled in that same 4th, he came back strong and was the key cog going to the late innings (3.1 innings, 7 ks).
In the end, this is a big confidence booster for Auburn. There were multiple chances for them to fold over and just take their lumps but each guy kept contributing. For a team that is relying on their offense to carry them early, knowing first hand that they are never out of games thanks to their bats, it’s a big plus.
5 Quick Things
Ware and Irish keep being an absolute force in the middle of the order. They combined for six hits and six rbis.
I wasn’t at the game so I’m not sure what ultimately happened at 1B but looking at the box score and seeing Wortham, McMurray, and Hill all log at-bats has me scratching my head a little bit.
Chris Stanfield has been holding his own spelling Bobby Peirce. Auburn will definitely need to find some unique ways to keep him in the lineup going forward.
Credit Nate LaRue’s defense and his ability to call games. Butch Thompson gave him a shout-out in the postgame that shows the faith and trust they have in his leadership: "I do want to credit Nate (LaRue) with some of that and getting us back into a rhythm, getting our plate back. We started going in(side) a little bit and creating a little bit of discomfort, but I think we really lowered our stuff, pitched into them a little bit more."
A big shouout from myself for the Deck Crew for holding it down again up top. The scorebook tone setter at the top is from Kim and here are the happy winners post game.
What to Watch Today
It’s Sunday and for Auburn, that has meant some big holes and some question marks on the mound. A solid start from Crotchfelt would do absolute wonders for the Tigers.
Could Ike Irish make it 3 straight Freshman of the Week honors? Another big day at the plate and it’s definitely a possibility.
The uptick in HRs given up for Auburn has me a bit worried. Hopefully that will settle down a bit.
Another worrisome stat are the increases in strikeouts. Hot bats can’t overcome whiffs and rally killers.
Two big rubber games in the league today: Carolina/Clemson and Miami/Florida. Both get big billing on SEC Network.
McMurray stepped on the bag awkwardly on a putout and injured his lower leg, so he had to come out. Wortham then got pinch-hit for a bit later, putting Cam Hill in the game.