Recap: Tigers come up short in game one against Texas A&M
Auburn baseball has been struggling to start its SEC schedule, constantly trying to find answers to come out of games with victories in order to build its resume. After winning their first conference game in the series finale versus Arkansas last weekend, the Tigers hope to build momentum in this weekend’s series against Texas A&M.
Unfortunately, Auburn (16-9) could not gain any in game one on Thursday, as it fell to the Aggies (23-3) 9-7 at Blue Bell Park.
Texas A&M got the scoring started early in this game in the bottom of the 1st. With one out and one runner on, Stanford transfer Braden Montgomery hit a two-run home run over the right center wall, making it 2-0 in early going.
The Aggies extended the lead in the bottom of the 3rd. After Jace LaViolette doubled and advanced to third later on, Jackson Appel hit a fly ball to left field that was caught, but was deep enough to bring LaViolette in. They were in firm control at 3-0.
That was until the top of the 4th when the Tigers made a massive move to get themselves back in it. Ike Irish began the inning with an infield single to third base, before two straight outs to follow put Auburn in yet another bad spot.
Chris Stanfield eased that worry though when he doubled down the left field line, getting Irish to third. Mason Maners came up immediately after and sent a pitch over the left field wall, tying the game up at 3-3.
The bottom of the 4th produced more damage from Texas A&M, as Hayden Schott led the home half off with a home run to right center, putting his team back in front 4-3.
Later in the inning, two back-to-back singles by Gavin Grahovac and LaViolette brought in a run each, giving the Aggies a three-run lead once again at 6-3.
The top of the 6th saw another surge by the Tigers. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Stanfield reached on a fielder’s choice in which Irish scored off of a throwing error. Later on Carter Wright reached on his own fielder’s choice hit, where Bobby Peirce also scored on an error. The game was once again tied, this time at 6-6.
Texas A&M did not let that last for long though. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 6th, Appel was hit by a pitch, scoring in a run. Ted Burton then walked on the next at-bat which brought in another run for the Aggies. Schott followed that up with a line drive to right field that was caught, scoring a third A&M runner and making the score 9-6.
Irish attempted to kick start one more push for Auburn in the top of the 7th with a solo home run to right center, but that was all the scoring that would occur for the rest of the game, as the Aggies secured a 9-7 victory.
Parker Carlson picked up the loss in relief for the Tigers, dropping to 2-1 on the season. Conner McBride was the starter on the mound. He pitched 3.0 innings, giving up six hits and six runs, while striking out three and walking two.
Evan Aschenbeck picked up the win in relief for Texas A&M, improving to 4-0 on the year. He pitched 4.0 innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out five on the night.
The two squads will meet up again in game two on Friday, where first pitch is set for 6 p.m. CST. Chase Allsup is set to start on the hill for Auburn.
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