AUBURN, Ala. – No. 20 Auburn overcame a four-run deficit to defeat Alabama, 6-4, and secure the series win Saturday afternoon at Plainsman Park.
Alabama struck for four runs on four hits in the first inning, but a dominant bullpen allowed Auburn's offense to chip away at the Crimson Tide's lead, eventually coming all the way back to complete the Tigers' 18th come-from-behind victory this year.
"Today was a good day to win a series," head coach Butch Thompson said. "We had a tough start but maintained good composure. It took a long time for us to get back in the ballgame, but those fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings we linked up to score a run every inning.
"Only four baserunners reached the last eight innings," Thompson added. "Our pitching staff just grinded through trying to get us back in this ballgame. Carson Swilling came in and really mixed his pitches before turning it over to Chase Allsup. This was Allsup's moment. We had Burkhalter ready to go, but we ended up not needing him."
Auburn (35-16, 15-11 SEC) was forced to turn to the bullpen in the second inning. Tommy Sheehan, Swilling (3-2, 5.62), and Allsup made up the relief effort and held Alabama scoreless and to only two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts, ultimately facing just three batters over the minimum in their eight innings of work.
"I was just trying to stay within myself and do what I can," Sheehan said. "We knew they were a good fastball hitting team, so we were trying to get a good mix of pitches in there today which worked well for me and the guys that followed me."
After scoring in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to tie the game, 4-4, Bobby Peirce delivered the go-ahead RBI single t give Auburn the lead for good. The go-ahead hit was Peirce's third in SEC play. The right fielder continued to make things happen on the base paths, eventually extending the lead to two as he scored on a wild pitch.
"I've said it once and I'll say it again, we never quit," Peirce said. "We just kept chipping away and battling."
Alabama (27-24, 10-16 SEC) jumped out to an early lead after striking for four runs in the first inning. All four runs were scored with two outs and followed a bang-bang potential double play. The big blow for the Crimson Tide came on a three-run home run.
The big first frame forced Auburn to turn to the bullpen in the second inning. Sheehan entered looking to keep the Tigers in the ballgame, and the graduate transfer did just that by tossing four shutout innings while allowing one hit and one walk with four stirkeouts.
Auburn cut into Alabama's advantage in the fourth inning on Peirce's solo home run. The blast was his sixth of the season and made it a 4-1 ballgame.
The Tigers continued to fight back, adding two more runs in the fifth. With runners on first and second, Sonny DiChiara grounded a ball to first base that was thrown away. On the play, Garrett Farquhar came around to score. Rambusch then lined a ball to center for an RBI single to cut the Crimson Tide's lead to one.
Sheehan turned the ball over to Swilling in the sixth inning, and the right-hander set Alabama down in order in his first inning of work, ultimately throwing two scoreless innings without allowing a hit or walk and adding a strikeout en route to earning the win.
With the bullpen continuing to put up zeroes, Brooks Carlson led off the bottom half of the sixth inning with a single before Kason Howell delivered a sacrifice bunt to move Carlson to second. With two outs in the inning, Nate LaRue came up with the game-tying hit on an RBI single to center field to plate Carlson and tie the game at four.
Auburn pushed across a run in the seventh inning to take the lead from Alabama. Rambusch connected on a two out single and then stole second base. Peirce lined an RBI single into right field to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead. Carlson followed with another single that moved Peirce to third base. Peirce then scored on a wild pitch to increase the Auburn advantage to two.
Chase Allsup worked the final two frames in scoreless fashion to earn his second save of the year. The freshman allowed one hit with no walks and two strikeouts, ultimately facing the minimum in his two innings of work thanks to a timely double play.
Offensively, Rambusch and Peirce led the way for the Tigers. Rambusch collected three hits and an RBI on the way to recording his 25th multi-hit game of the season. Peirce delivered two hits, including a homer, and drove in a pair. Four Auburn players had multiple hits in the win.
Game three of the series is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. C.T. at Plainsman Park.
Dominant bullpen, resilient offense power No. 20 Auburn past Alabama
