AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) – Coastal Carolina put all its might on display en route to the Chanticleers' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Auburn Tigers in game one of the Auburn Super Regional.
Both Caden Bodine and Blagen Pado went deep twice, accounting for all seven Coastal Carolina runs. Bodine’s second was the biggest swing of the night, giving his team a one-run edge in the top of the 10th.
“The best player on the field was Caden Bodine,” said Coastal Carolina Head Coach Kevin Schnall. “What he did on both sides of the ball, absolutely incredible. If you don’t walk out of here tonight saying that’s the best catcher in the country, then I’m not sure which game you're watching.”
The Tigers had chances in both the 9th and 10th, with a runner making into scoring position in each inning. However, each frame would end in heartbreaking fashion, as Chanticleer second baseman Blake Barthol completed two nearly identical diving catches with throws back to second base for a pair of inning-ending double plays.
The Chanticleers have now won 22 games in a row and are one win shy of going to the College World Series. This win came uncharacteristic was for the Chants, however. Typically, Coastal beats teams via death by a 1,000 paper cuts, averaging just one home run a game. However, they hit four in game one against the Tigers.
Auburn starter Sam Dutton was pounced on early by the Chanticleers and allowed six earned runs on six hits. Early in the contest, it looked like Auburn was going to get straight to its opponent's bullpen; they even had them getting loose in the 2nd inning. Despite his early struggles, Coastal starter Cameron Flukey was able to work out of a jam in the inning and pitch five innings with three runs on six hits and four punchouts. The game would then enter a rain delay in the middle of the sixth inning with the Tigers down 6-3 and looking to add.
After the lengthy delay, Auburn seemed to come out with more energy. The Tigers managed one run in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a Chanticleer throwing error and then tied the game in the seventh thanks to a monstrous blast from Eric Snow. As for the other side of the ball, Coastal had no answer for Griffin Graves. Graves was a desperately needed adrenaline shot for the Tiger pitching staff, tossing three shutdown frames with five strikeouts. Ryan Hetzler was then called on for extras, where he would surrender a run in the top of the tenth and be credited with the loss.
“I knew that I could go out there and beat those hitters, and have confidence,” said Graves. “It was fun, I was out there trusting my guys. I knew they were gonna be behind me no matter what happens. I just enjoyed every moment and thanked god for everything.”
Due to the delay and extra innings, both teams will have a little over 12 hours until their next matchup at Plainsman Park on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 2 p.m.
“I think we have confidence and resilience, said Auburn Head Coach Butch Thompson. “I’ve announced that to you guys and to the world. We have to get some sleep, get back out here and put our head down.”
Saturday's game is a pivotal one, with Auburn needing a win to keep its season alive and force a game three on Sunday.
