AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Auburn came into Sunday’s matchup against a tired N.C. State ready to complete the sweep of their regional opponents. The Tigers had defeated Central Connecticut State 8-5 Friday and then Stetson Saturday, 9-5. It had been a more difficult journey for N.C. State this regional weekend, losing to Stetson before winning their next two against Central Connecticut State and a rematch against the Hatters. Auburn would take advantage of the Wolfpack’s tired legs, winning 11-1 behind the spectacular play of two freshmen.
Led by Freshmen Chris Rembert and Bub Terrell’s combined 8 of 11 night, Auburn used a seven-run fourth inning to strike first and remain in the lead for the rest of the game. N.C. State would get a run in the eighth, but it was too little, too late for the Wolfpack as Auburn’s pitching staff shut them down for the other eight innings.
To start scoring for the day, Auburn quickly loaded the bases in the fourth after N.C. State’s Dominic Fritton gave two consecutive walks. Three more singles by Fralick, Rembert, and Belyeu opened the game up to 4-0, forcing an early exit for the junior lefty.
Then Ike Irish stepped up to the plate and made it more pain for the Pack. In easily the loudest moment heard from the crowd all night, Ike Irish launched a ball well over the visitors bullpen, scoring three more runs and making the Auburn lead an insurmountable 7-0.
As Auburn's lineup reset in the next inning, Rembert’s approach didn’t. The freshman knocked his fourth hit of the game to score both Carter Fralick and Derick Fabian. His fellow Freshman and regional MVP Bub Terrell followed that RBI double with one of his own the next at-bat. After being named MVP following his four-hit performance, Bub was asked how he felt winning it, especially in his first postseason.
“I mean, honestly, nothing right now, because, you know we got a goal in mind,” Terrell said, “ I probably think about it after the season’s over, but you know, job’s not finished”.
Auburn would only score one more run, coming after four straight walks by Wolfpack pitchers in the eighth. That’s precisely what they needed to preserve the double-digit lead, as Fisher would give up the shutout on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning.
The eight scoreless innings, thrown by Andreas Alvarez and Cade Fisher, came after Alvarez was told only minutes before first pitch that he would start Game 6 of the weekend and one of the season's most important games. Alvarez said his confidence only grew as the game went on, especially after the seven and three-run innings for Auburn’s offense.
“So having these guys go out there and put up seven and then put up three back-to-back innings,” Alvarez said, “That was definitely letting me settle on a little easier and throw, worry about throwing more strikes, rather than having to make a perfect pitch in a certain count.”
Auburn will look to carry its momentum and record crowds over to next weekend as Coastal Carolina comes to town. Despite all the excitement about Auburn hosting its first Super Regional in program history, the Chanticleers will look to spoil it as they carry a 21-game win streak into next weekend. The series will begin next Friday, with times and broadcasts being announced during this week.
