WATCH: Tigers win critical game against Bulldogs in the final play of the game

On Saturday, showers continued throughout Starkville, Mississippi. The first pitch was moved from 3 CT to 5 CT to allow the bad weather to clear up.

When the game finally began, neither team was able to nudge across a run in the first inning. Auburn didn’t in the second either. However, the Bulldogs were able to bring across two runs to the plate via the “long-ball.” First, it was designated hitter Hunter Hines and then two batters later it was right-fielder Kellum Clark. That gave the hometown dogs a 2-0 lead in the series finale.

Neither team brought across any runs until the seventh inning. In the top half of the inning, Butch Thompson’s squad a double by center-fielder Kason Howell brought in the third baseman Blake Rambusch. After an intentional walk to big-time slugger Sonny DiChiara, designated hitter Cam Hill came to the plate. He came up in the clutch with a game-tying RBI single that brought in Howell.

A double from pinch-hitter Brooks Carlson allowed right-fielder Bobby Pierce to give the Tigers the lead. Heading into the ninth inning, Auburn led by a score of 3-2. The bottom of the ninth inning was dramatic just like Friday night’s thriller which resulted in a Tigers defeat off a walk-off walk. In the Bulldogs’ last chance, Hines was walked to lead off the inning. After a groundball to third by Aaron Downs, pinch-runner Matt Corder was able to reach second base. The next batter would strikeout.

The last hope for the Bulldogs on Saturday evening came down to Cumbest who had already had one hit on the night. With the game on the line, he delivered with a single into right field. After the ball gets hit is when things get interesting. As left-fielder Bryson Ware gloved the ball, Corder rounded third headed from home. Ware put the throw on the money as catcher Nate Larue put the tag on Corder. The game ended in dramatic fashion yet again. This time it was the Tigers that came away victorious with the 3-2 win on Saturday.

Auburn will improve to 24-12 and 8-7 in conference play while Mississippi State falls to 21-16 and 6-9 in conference play. The Tigers’ next game is scheduled for Tuesday against Alabama State. The Hornets are 20-14 and 11-2 in the SWAC. In the first matchup between the two this season, Auburn won 13-7. First pitch against the in-state Alabama State Hornets is set for 6 CT and will be aired on SEC Network +.