March 11, 2017
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AUBURN, Ala. -- Daniel Robert hit a 2-run single to cap a four-run eighth inning rally as Auburn baseball downed Presbyterian 7-5 Saturday at Plainsman Park.
"It just feels like you're sitting in the dentist office for three-and-a-half hours. Whatever it takes for us to continue to grow and fight and push and that's what we did today," Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. "Casey [Mize] threw really good for us. He almost got seven innings there and they tied it up, but great outing by him. Ryan Watson, freshman, that was very meaningful time to just hang in there. We wound up going down a couple of runs there, but today we didn't play as good on defense, but I thought our pitchers threw really good. Then, Corey Herndon to come in and finish off the ball game was positive for us."
After falling behind 5-3 thanks to five unearned runs, a pair of seniors started an eighth inning rally for Auburn (11-5). Blake Logan singled, then Damon Haecker was hit by a pitch before a Jonah Todd bunt single loaded the bases.
With the bases full, Josh Anthony walked to force home run and Robert ripped a single to right scoring two more for the 7-5 lead.
Anthony also had a 2-run double in the sixth. He was 2-for-3 with three RBI and walked twice.
Dylan Ingram started the scoring for Auburn with a RBI knock in the fifth. Ingram, Jay Estes and Logan each had two hits.
Jonah Todd had three hits and scored three times.
Mize did not factor into the decision, but struck out 10 in 6.2 innings with three unearned runs allowed. It was his second career double-digit strikeout game.
Watson got his first career win with 1.1 innings pitched. Herndon got the final three outs in the ninth to pick up his second save of the season.
Presbyterian dropped to 9-8. Will Smith took the loss with four runs allowed in two relief innings.
Nick Guimbarda had two hits and two RBI.
Auburn and the Blue Hose close the series Sunday at 12 pm.