Feb. 21, 2016
Junior Anfernee Grier had two hits on Sunday. (Auburn Photo)
AUBURN, Ala. -- Anfernee Grier had two hits with two stolen bases and Niko Buentello had four RBI, but Auburn baseball fell 7-6 in 11 innings in the series finale with Sacramento State on Sunday at Plainsman Park.
"I have to tip my hat to Sacramento State," Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. "I think they have a great team, with a good chance to win the WAC. They got one more timely hit than we did tonight. I kept thinking something good was about to come since we were at home, but it never came."
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the first, Buentello hit a three-run home run, his second of the series, to give Auburn a 3-2 lead. Sacramento State answered right back with two runs in the second to move on top 4-3.
Auburn reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the third after back-to-back, bases loaded singles by Cody Nulph and Grier to make the score 5-4. Buentello extended the lead to 6-4 in the sixth with another RBI.
Nulph was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Joshua Palacios and Jordan Ebert each had two hits.
Sacramento State scored a pair in the eighth to the tie the game and ultimately force extras. The Hornets scored the winning run on sac fly in the 12th.
Freshman Casey Mize threw three innings and allowed just two hits with one strikeout out of the bullpen. Ben Braymer struck out four in four innings of relief with two runs allowed.
Octavio Rodriguez (0-1) took the loss with a run allowed in two innings of work.
Chad Perry picked up the win in relief for Sacramento State. Matt Smith had three hits to lead the Hornets.
Auburn is on the field next on Tuesday against Kennesaw State. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Plainsman Park.