LEXINGTON, Ky. (EETV)-- The Auburn Tigers secured their second win of the series with a two-extra-inning win against Kentucky in Lexington with a score of 8-7. The Tigers offense played great at-bat, as Auburn had a man on base in every single inning of the game.
The bats were hot for Auburn at the beginning of the game. At the top of the first the Tigers were able to score off a single. In the second inning, Cade Belyeu for Auburn had an impressive hit; he crushed a pitch to easily get him on third base. Belyeu was later able to score, increasing Auburn’s lead to 2-0.
Deric Fabian had a huge play for Auburn making a diving catch look easy in the bottom of the fourth. Auburn’s pitching and infield defense held Kentucky to just one hit up until the 4th inning. Tyler Bell for the Wildcats cracked a ball to left center giving Kentucky their first run on the board.
Freshman Andreas Alvarez, came in at the bottom of the fifth to pitch for Auburn. Kentucky was able to add points on the board from a double and a wild pitch. For the first time in the game the Wildcats took the lead 3-2.
The top of the 6th, had Chris Rembret hit a solid single causing Ike Irish to score evening up the score. Deric Fabian and Eric Snow hit singles to allow Rembery and Belyeu to touch home base, giving Auburn the 5-3 lead. Fabian later scored, putting another run on the board for the Tigers.
Auburn pitcher Cam Tilly had three back-to-back strikeouts to close the eighth inning. Auburn’s momentum continued at bat with a homerun from Ike Irish to extend the lead to 7-3.
The bottom of the 9th inning, the Tigers let off the gas at the start. Kentucky was able to score two runs off sacrificial ground outs closing the gap to only 7-5. A controversial pitch gave Kentucky a free base. Outfielder Bub Terrell had what seemed to be an amazing catch that would have ended the game. However, the officials determined after a challenge from Butch Thompson that the ball hit the ground before the catch was complete. Kentucky was able to score, shrinking the lead for the second time that inning.
Butch Thompson decided to switch pitchers in hope to end the game to right-handed Hayden Murphy. Kentucky's red shirt freshman pinch runner smacked the ball to hit a single allowing the Wildcats to tie the game 7-7. Short-stop Deric Fabian had a great play to first to close out the 9th inning.
At the top of the 10th inning, Cooper McMurray hit a single but that was the only spark Auburn saw at bat. The bottom of the 10th the Wildcats returned to the plate, Hayden Murphy threw a strikeout but shortly after hit a batter with an inside pitch. Lefty Jackson Sanders from Opelika, Alabama took over the mound for the Tigers. Sanders struggled, and hit two batters. Parker Carlson replaced him and was able to close out the inning.
At the top of the 11th Ike Irish homered finally giving Auburn the lead again. Kentucky however wasn’t able to capitalize at bat. Auburn won the game with a final score of 8-7.
The Auburn Tigers will face the Kentucky Wildcats in the final game of the series Sunday at 1p.m. CT in Lexington, Kentucky.
