TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 5 Auburn scored first and rallied late to tie, but No. 22 Alabama hit back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Tigers 3-2 Saturday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium to win the series.
“For two nights, they’re the winner because they’ve had better at-bats,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “We fought tooth and nail to find a way to stay in this ballgame and try to win it.”
For the second straight night, leadoff hitter Bristol Carter manufactured a first-inning run, drawing a walk, moving to second on Chris Rembert’s single, stealing third and scoring on a passed ball for a 1-0 Auburn lead.
Alabama (21-7, 5-3 SEC) took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, tying the score at 1-1 on a pair of singles and a safety squeeze bunt, then going ahead 2-1 on an infield single after a two-out infield error extended the inning.
Auburn starting pitcher Jackson Sanders allowed one earned run in 5.0 innings, striking out six while scattering seven hits.
Alabama starter Zane Adams allowed one run on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out eight in 6.1 innings.
“Another good start for their guy,” Thompson said. “Jackson Sanders rebounded, responded very well from last week. I’m tickled to death with his outing. He did a nice job.”
Ryan Hetzler relieved Sanders in the bottom of the sixth. After a bloop double with one out, Carter caught a fly ball in center and fired to Eric Guevara at third to nail the runner trying to tag for an inning-ending double play.
Auburn tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the seventh when Brandon McCraine singled off Alabama reliever Bobby Alcock, moved to third Eddie Madrigal’s single and scored on Logan Gregorio’s sacrifice fly.
Hetzler escaped a jam in the bottom of the seventh after Alabama put the first two batters on base, getting a grounder, a strikeout and a fly out to deep right to strand both runners.
Auburn threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth when Chase Fralick doubled with one out and moved to third on Eric Guevara’s sharply hit ball to second, but a fly out to right ended the inning.
The Tigers again threatened in the top of the ninth when McCraine drew a one-one walk and stole second with two outs, but a fly to center sent the teams to the bottom of the ninth tied 2-2.
Alabama’s Brennan Holt led off the bottom of the ninth with a double, the fifth time in the final six innings the home team put the leadoff man on. Bryce Fowler ended the game on the next pitch with a double to right center to score Holt with the winning run.
Hagan Banks (1-0) earned the win while Hetzler (3-1) took the loss.
Auburn (20-6, 4-4 SEC) concludes the series Sunday at 1 p.m. CT on SEC Network+ and the Auburn Sports Network.
“We’ve got a quick turnaround,” Thompson said. “We’ve got to get back out here and find a way to fight and claw like we did today to have a chance to win a game tomorrow.”
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer