Close to 15,000 people filled the stands at the Hoover Met on Wednesday night to watch No. 6 Auburn take on reigning national champion LSU.
They were treated to a pitching display by Jake Marciano and Jackson Sanders that shut down the Bayou Bengals’ bats big time, combining to allow just one run on four hits while fanning six over nine innings as the Tigers advanced with a 3-1 victory.
“It was exciting to get the ball for the first game of the SEC tourney,” Marciano said. “I trusted my team behind me and trusted Chase. I’m happy we were able to get it done tonight.”
Auburn pitchers dominate LSU hitters in SEC Tournament victory
LSU scored first after a double, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth to take a 1-0 lead. Chase Fralick answered right back for Butch Thompson’s squad, knocking a solo homer to left, marking his 14th dinger of the season.
Auburn took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth when a Chris Rembert chopper up the middle was played by LSU’s second baseman, but a throwing error trying to catch Brandon McCraine at third let the runner score to make it 2-1. Eric Guevera gave the Tigers an insurance run in the sixth with a solo shot over the left-field wall.
Sanders came in and did the rest, allowing no hits while striking out two and walking a pair in the last three innings, but it didn’t come without a little tension. In the bottom of the ninth, Sanders appeared to end the game by striking out Brayden Simpson on a full count, but the LSU batter challenged the call and was awarded first base. One batter later, an innocent groundout to McCraine at shortstop closed it out.
“Composure,” Sanders said of his mindset when the reviews went LSU’s way. “In the ninth inning crazy stuff always happens. You’ve got to be prepared for everything. I think we did a good job tonight, me and Chase staying on the same page locking in there. It was an ultimate fight to the end.”
Auburn battles Texas A&M in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT.
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