Nov. 13, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn baseball program wrapped up its annual Orange and Blue World Series that included three seven-inning games Monday evening at Plainsman Park.
The Orange Team claimed the series by taking game one, 11-3, Thursday night and following its performance with a 7-5 win in game two Friday. The team then completed the sweep with a 6-5 win Monday night.
"The guys played well and we had a great fall," said head coach Butch Thompson. "I counted some unearned runs today that, as a coach, makes you want to get back out on the field tomorrow. We're still going to have a couple more practices to rehearse everything we've done. I will say, I've left this ballpark feeling better about ourselves every day."
Game one was highlighted by a trio of solo home runs from the Orange Team's duo of Conor Davis and Bowen McGuffin and the Blue Team's Dylan Ingram.
After falling in a 2-0 hole, Davis started the started the top of the second inning with a solo shot to right-center field. The Orange Team added a six-run third inning with the big blow coming on a two-RBI double from Brett Olson to take a 7-2 lead and never looked back. Olson ultimately reached base seven times in the series.
Senior Calvin Coker got the start on the mound for the Orange Team and earned the win after throwing 4.2 innings. Southpaw Blake Schilleci entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning and got out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts. He then closed the door with a perfect seventh frame.
Game two was one of runs as the Orange Team jumped out to a 6-1 lead through two innings. Luke Jarvis and Steven William, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI in the series opener, each contributed to the scoring with RBI doubles in the second inning.
However, the Blue Team got right back in it with a four-run third frame behind RBI from Ingram and Judd Ward, a bases-loaded walk and a passed ball to cut the lead to one. Ingram went 3-for-4 with a double in the game.
From there, though, the Orange Team's pitching combination of Welby Malczewski and Rhett Fetner held the Blue Team off the scoreboard in the final three innings and helped to ultimately claim the series.
After a combined 26 runs had been scored in the first two games, pitching was the story early on in the third and final contest. Right-hander Ryan Watson got the start for the Blue Team and pitched 3.0 scoreless innings with six strikeouts.
The offenses came to life in the fifth inning as a combined nine runs were scored. Trailing, 2-0, after a home run from Brett Wright in the second inning, the Orange Team used a six-run fifth inning that was highlighted by a bases-loaded, two-RBI single from McGuffin to take the lead. The Blue Team answered back with three runs in the home half of the frame narrow the margin.
After left-hander Jack Owen pitched 4.0+ innings and allowed two runs on two hits, Coker made his second appearance of the series and recorded the final six outs. The Blue Team put the tying run in scoring position, but Chase Hall was thrown at by centerfielder Jay Estes at the plate to end the game.
The World Series completes the Tigers' fall scrimmage schedule. The team will wrap its fall season with a couple more practices this week.
Season tickets can be reserved with a Billy Hitchcock Tigers Unlimited donation, and information can be found here. Tigers Unlimited members have the opportunity to retain their seats from year to year and are eligible for upgrading seats based on availability.