'Who we want to be' - another comeback win for resilient Tigers

1018931410189314

March 17, 2018

By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. - Six times before, Auburn had won when tied or trailing in the eighth inning. But not against an SEC opponent, one ranked No. 6 in the country.

No matter.

Highlighted by freshman Steven Williams' grand slam, No. 13 Auburn scored eight runs in the bottom of the eighth, turning a 4-3 deficit into an 11-5 series-clinching victory Saturday over Texas A&M.

Auburn had already plated three runs on Jay Estes' two RBI single and Jeremy Johnson's bases loaded hit by pitch, setting the stage for Williams' knockout punch.

"They threw a fastball, it was right down the middle and I definitely needed that because it's been a rough weekend so far," said Williams, who was 0-for-4 before blasting his fourth homer of the season.

"I put a good swing on it, and had a good result," said Williams, who said he knew right away that the ball would leave the park. "It's a really great feeling, especially when it's a grand slam. There are not many better feelings like that in baseball, probably the best one."

The half-dozen non-conference comebacks instilled in Auburn a confidence that the Tigers were never out of it, a reservoir on which to draw.

Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Will Holland's two-run home run to right field energized the Auburn dugout and the 3,228 who enjoyed St. Patrick's Day at Plainsman Park.

"It took a little bit longer today," Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. "Just a good club, they just keep making plays. The door doesn't open very much, but I felt the same way. I thought we were just hanging by a thread, and when Will hit the ball the other way I thought, 'Okay, we're back to a one-run ballgame, and have a chance.'

"That causes a coach and the team to reset. I thought it gave us a charge and got us refocused and reset back in the ballgame."

Holland and winning pitcher Welby Malczewski earned game balls from Auburn's coaching staff. Malczewski pitched the final 3.1 innings, striking out four without allowing an earned run.

"To get the win today, the way we did it coming from behind, almost as usual it seems like now, it was big," Malczewski said. "We're getting closer and closer. We're getting stronger. I don't think there was a worry at any point in that dugout, bullpen, locker room. And I think that's something strong we can keep moving forward."

Picked to finish sixth in the SEC West, Auburn improved to 19-1, 2-0 in the SEC.

"Nobody thinks they're any good anyway, still to this date," Thompson said, alluding to that preseason prediction. "If they were listening to something from the outside, they wouldn't have this much confidence, so I definitely think it's come from within. And I think it's come from their preparation.

"They've continued to work and I think they want to do well all for one another. I appreciate them really staying inward and listening to each other and trying to play the best they can and pick each other up. Nobody's perfect. As long as we'll just keep playing, keep seeing opportunities, and just stay after it, we want to be resilient. That's who we want to be."

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer