2/27/23 Auburn Articles

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Takeaways from Auburn baseball's game three tie with Southern California

Lindsay Crosby

5–7 minutes

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Auburn tied Southern California on Sunday in a WILD game three, 12-12, to win but not sweep the three-game series. (Due to USC's travel accommodations, a full inning could not begin after 3:30, so the game ended in a tie.)

Here's what we learned:

Auburn's offense is sustainable

After a close game on Friday and one big inning on Saturday, Auburn's bats absolutely erupted on Sunday for 13 hits and 12 runs in Sunday's travel-shortened game three. Auburn hit three homeruns, a two-run shot by 3B Bryson Ware in the 1st and two by OF Justin Kirby, the second of which was a grand slam in the 5th inning that staked Auburn to a 12-8 lead. 

This offense feels sustainable - both Saturday and Sunday, many of Auburn's hits were singles or doubles hit consecutively, working "station to station" and moving runners over as needed. Auburn struck out nine times on Sunday, but the approaches were good. 

Said true freshman DH Ike Irish on Saturday, "I thought we didn't really have the quality of at-bats to start the game and then, as time moved on, you saw the at-bats get longer. People started barreling balls with two strikes, and you saw guys use the other way, which was huge." 

On Sunday, Auburn's hitters started catching barrels early. After Chase Isbell, Sunday's starter after having strep throat all week, gave up four runs in the 1st and was lifted early, the offense struck right back with a two-run homerun in the first by Bryson Ware and a three-run homerun by Justin Kirby in the 2nd.    

For the contest, four Tigers had multiple hits and seven of the nine starters had a hit (while both of the other two got on base, with one of them scoring).  

Don't let Auburn's inability to hit a deep sacrifice fly in the 9th distract you from the fact that this offense absolutely stepped up and responded time after time in this game.     

Justin Kirby continues to be a problem

One of the reasons that Auburn went after the Kent State grad transfer was for his power, and the righty's delivered. Kirby has only five hits on the season, but they're all homeruns. Every single one. 

Kirby hit three homeruns on the weekend, including two in Sunday's game three. The final homerun was a grand slam in the 5th that gave Auburn a 12-8 lead.  

The batting average may not be there, but if every hit is a homerun, 30 hits in a season would make you 1st-Team All-SEC, probably.

Auburn's pitching is...not quite there yet 

Going into today, we knew the pitching would be a lot of younger arms as they continue their acclimation to the college game. And yet, the result was still surprising. 

15 hits, 12 runs allowed to USC, with four walks to six strikeouts. Head coach Butch Thompson did not mince words after the game. "We drug ourselves through the mud. We have to get more experience and we have to get better. [...] It's a grind, and we embrace it. We'll keep going back to the drawing board and keep trying to grow." 

"You could probably do better if you could capture your breath, your heart rate, and get that to a (good) point. Hopefully we got closer today."  

Despite the outward appearance, there were bright spots to Thompson. He specifically mentioned the back pick by LaRue - with two outs in the 4th inning, LaRue caught the runner at 1st too far off the bag and threw behind him to 1B Cooper McMurray, who applied the tag to end the inning. He mentioned true freshman pitcher Zach Crotchfelt, as well, "Crotchfelt pitched well for a second straight week. Just have to keep getting him extended," as well as RHP Parker Carlson coming in the top of the 9th and getting the final out of the inning so that Auburn had an opportunity to walk it off.  

Sunday baseball is sometimes...weird

It's a shame this game wasn't televised, because some of what happened isn't to be believed without seeing it.

For instance, USC got a runner in scoring position in the 9th and he scored on a double down the left field line to give USC the lead. 

Except, he didn't. 

USC leftfielder Carson Wells stepped OVER home plate when running home - SS Cole Foster had cut off the throw to keep the hitter from advancing to 2nd, and after the dugout and fans started yelling at catcher Nate LaRue, threw the ball in to home, where LaRue stepped on home plate and the runner was called out. 

And then, pitcher Parker Carlson got USC infielder Ryan Jackson to swing and miss for a strikeout and the third out of the inning...except the ball went into the dirt, and LaRue inexplicably threw to 2nd instead of 1st, and the ball sailed into centerfield, advancing runners to the corners.  

It was a sloppy game, with four combined errors, four more wild pitches, and twelve combined walks. 

Bobby Pierce leaves with injury

Pierce, the starting left fielder who missed multiple years at Auburn due to surgeries on both of his knees, was lifted from the game in the 2nd inning when he came up lame after beating out an infield grounder, being replaced by Mike Bello. 

He didn't want to leave the game, and was only briefly in the tunnel before returning to the dugout for the remainder of the contest, so it appears to be precautionary. He was slow to get up on Saturday after narrowly missing a diving catch in left-center, as well. 

Back in action 

Auburn continues the non-conference slate on Wednesday night with a matchup against Florida A&M. First pitch is at 6PM, and will be broadcast on SEC Network+. The radio call, with Brad Law, is available on AuburnTigers.com, the Auburn Athletics app, and locally on 95.9 FM.  

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Auburn ties series finale with USC but still claims the series victory

Andrew Stefaniak, Lindsay Crosby

13–16 minutes

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Game three of the Auburn USC series ends in a tie due to travel restrictions for the Trojans.

The series finale between Auburn and USC ended in a 12-12 tie due to travel restrictions causing USC to have to get back to California. 

Auburn still wins the series thanks to winning games one and two. 

Aside from rough outings from Chase Isbell and Drew Nelson, the Tiger pitching staff showed well. 

The middle of the Auburn lineup had a big day with four hits for Ike Irish, three hits for Cole Foster, and two homers for Justin Kirby.

Auburn will be back in action on Wednesday at 6 pm ct as the Tigers take on Florida A&M.

We will have all the coverage you need right here at Auburn Daily. 

Ninth Inning 12-12

Photo credit: Jacob Taylor/Auburn Athletics

This will be the last inning even if it ends in a tie. 

Copeland is back out for the Tigers. 

A fly out to Kirby is the first out of the inning. 

A double gives USC a one out base runner. 

A single scores a run for USC. 

They take a 13-12 lead. 

WAIT A MINUTE! The USC runner stepped over the plate a fan pointed it out to LaRue and he stepped on the plate for an out. Are you kidding me?

Two down with a man on first and Carlson will come in to pitch for the Tigers. 

Carlson gets a strikeout but LaRue miss played the ball leading to a dropped third strike. Instead of throwing to first LaRue throws to second trying to catch the runner stealing. Big mistake here from LaRue. 

But never the less a fly out to Howell ends the top of the ninth. 

This will be the last inning no matter what. This game will either end in an Auburn win or a tie. 

Foster rips a base hit and the Tigers have a runner aboard. 

Kirby hits one hard but the center fielder runs it down. 

One out one on for Irish. 

Irish rips a base hit that moves Foster over to third. 

Men on the corners for Ware. 

Chris Stanfield will pinch run for Irish. 

They intentionally walk Ware. 

Bases loaded for Howell. 

Howell flies out but not deep enough to get the run home. 

Two outs for McMurray. It will either be a tie or a win. 

McMurray flies out to right and this game will end in a tie. 

12-12

Eighth Inning 12-12

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Copeland is back out for the Tigers. 

A fly out to Bello is the first out of the inning. 

A deep fly out to Howell is the second out of the inning. 

A ground out to McMurray ends the top of the eighth. 

Interesting note: That was huge from Copeland. With this possibly being the last inning the Tigers needed a zero on the board and Copeland gave it to them.

LaRue will lead things off for the Tigers in the eighth. 

LaRue and Green both go down on strikes. 

Two down for Ryan Dyal who will pinch hit for Bello.

Dyal pops out to end the eighth. 

We will head to the ninth inning tied at 12. 

Seventh Inning Auburn leads 12-9

Trey Lee / Auburn Daily

Nelson is back on to pitch for the Tigers. 

A fly out to Bello is the first out of the inning. 

A fly out to Howell is the second out of the inning. 

A two out single gives USC a base runner. 

A double gives USC men on second and third with two outs. 

Nelson needs a big out here. 

A single scores two runs. Auburn still leads 12-11. 

That will do it for Nelson, Konner Copeland will come in to pitch for the Tigers. 

A double scores another run. 

This ball game is tied at 12 a piece. 

A strikeout ends the top of the seventh. 

We head to the bottom tied. 

Irish will lead things off for the Tigers. 

Irish grounds out for the first out of the inning. 

Ware walks and the Tigers have a base runner. 

Interesting note: That was a really disciplined at bat from Ware he didn't chase. 

Howell pops out for the second out of the inning. 

McMurray will try to regain the Auburn lead. 

McMurray goes down on strikes. We head to the eighth inning all tied up. 

Sixth Inning Auburn leads 12-8

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Drew Nelson is into pitch for the Tigers. 

A double gives USC a leadoff base runner. 

A ground ball back to Nelson is the first out of the inning. 

A terrific play by Green gets Auburn their second out of the inning. 

A passed ball scored the run from third. 

Auburn still leads 12-9. 

Nelson gets a strikeout to end the inning. That was a better inning from the young freshman.

Auburn will grab the bats hoping to extend the lead. 

Green hits one hard but the center fielder makes a good play. 

One down for Bello. 

Bello grounds out to second for the second out of the inning. 

Foster rips a base hit. 

One on with two down for Kirby. 

Kirby goes down on strikes. 

We head to the seventh inning with Auburn leading 12-9.

Fifth Inning 8-8

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Murphy will head back to the mound for the Tigers. 

Murphy hits the lead off batter and USC has a man aboard. 

USC bunts and Murphy makes a great play to get an out. McMurray was stepped on and is in some pain. 

A ground out to third is the second out of the inning. 

The runner advanced to third. 

A fly out to Bello ends the top of the fifth. 

Green will lead things off for the Tigers. 

Green leads off the Tigers with a base hit.

Bello will step in with a man on first and no one out. 

A little hit and run action gives Auburn men on the corners with no one out. Good piece of hitting there by Bello. 

Foster will try and reclaim the Auburn lead. 

A bouncing ball moves Bello to second. Two in scoring position for Foster. 

Foster walks. The bases are loaded for Kirby. 

JUSTIN KIRBY GRAND SLAM!!!! Auburn leads 12-8. 

A new pitcher is on to face Irish. 

Irish slaps another base hit. That is his third of the game. He is batting .593 so far in his true freshman campaign. 

Ware is down on strikes for the first out of the inning. 

Howell walks and the Tigers have men on first and second for McMurray.

McMurray pops out to center for the second out of the inning. 

A new pitcher is coming in to face LaRue.

LaRue flies out to left to end the fifth inning. 

We head to the sixth with Auburn leading 12-8. 

Fourth Inning Auburn leads 8-4

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Crotchfelt is back out for the Tigers. 

Crotchfelt pitch count: 43

A fly out to Bello is the first out of the inning. Nothing better than a one pitch out. 

A walk gives USC a one out base runner. 

A base hit for USC gives them runners at first and second. 

Crotchfelt gets a big strikeout for the second out of the inning. That was his third strikeout of the outing. 

A four pitch walk loads the bases with two out. 

A base hit scores two for USC. 

Auburn still leads 8-6.

That will do it for Crotchfelt. 

Hayden Murphy is on to pitch for the Tigers.  

A walk loads the bases once again. 

A base hit tied the game at eight a piece. 

Men on first and second with two outs. 

WALKS WILL HAUNT!

A back pick from LaRue gets the runner at first. Big play there from the Tiger catcher. 

Irish will lead things off for the Tigers.

As you probably assumed Irish gets a base hit. 

The Tigers have one on with no one out for Ware. 

Ware bunts and moves Irish to second. 

Howell will bat for the Tigers. 

Howell pops out for the second out of the inning. 

McMurray will try and score Irish from second. 

Irish steals third and and McMurray walks. 

Men on the corners for LaRue with two down. 

A pop out on the infield will end the fourth inning. 

We head to the fifth tied at eight a piece. 

Third Inning Auburn leads 7-4

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Crotchfelt is back out on the bump. 

A pop out to Bello is the first out of the inning. 

A double gives USC a one out base runner. 

The runner on second got hung up for the second out of the inning. 

The batter was able to advance to second during the run down. 

Foster makes a terrific play at short to get the third out of the inning. 

Crotchfelt works around the jam and we head to the bottom of the third with Auburn leading 7-4. 

A new pitcher is in for USC.

Howell will lead things off for the Tigers in the third. 

Howell grounds out for the first out of the inning. 

McMurray draws a walk which will bring up LaRue. 

LaRue rips a single. 

Runners on first and second for Green. 

A base hit from Green moves everyone station to station. 

Bello will come up with bases loaded and one down. 

Bello goes down on strikes and that will bring up Foster. 

An error by the shortstop scores another run for the Tigers. 

That is also another two out run for the Tigers. 

Auburn leads 8-4

Kirby is down on strikes and that will end the third inning. 

Second Inning USC leads 4-3

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Crotchfelt is back out for the Tigers. 

A fly out to Kirby is the first out of the inning. 

Crotchfelt gets a backwards K for the second out of the inning. 

A two out base hit gives gives the Trojans a base runner. 

A fly out to Kirby ends the top of the second. 

McMurray will lead it off for the Tigers trying to give Auburn the lead. 

McMurray is down on strikes. 

Interesting note: Both Auburn strikeouts so far have been via a changeup. That pitch looks like it could be a problem for the Tigers. 

Nate LaRue walks to give Auburn a one out base runner. 

The Bryson Ware home run officially is listed at 433 feet. It is safe to say that Ware has pop.

Green flies out to center for the second out of the inning. 

A balk moves LaRue over to second. 

A Peirce base hit moves LaRue to third. 

Men on the corners for Foster. 

Foster comes through big! 

A base hit scores LaRue. 

This game is all tied up. 

Peirce has seemed to gotten a bit banged up and Mike Bello will come in much to the displeasure of Peirce.

Men on first and second for Kirby.

A passed ball moves the runners to second and third. 

KIRBY has left the building. Auburn leads 7-4

Interesting note: Auburn has scored all seven runs with two outs.

Interesting note: Kirby has four hits on the year and all of them are home runs. 

Irish walks which puts a man on for Ware. 

Ware flies out and that will end the inning.

We head to the third with Auburn leading 7-4. 

First Inning 0-0

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Chase Isbell toes the rubber and we are underway. 

Isbell walks the first runner he sees on four pitches. 

A two run bomb gives USC an early lead. 

Interesting note: Chase Isbell has been throwing all of his pitches high which is not a place you want to be as a pitcher. 

A double gives USC another base runner with no one out. 

A second two run home run gives USC a 4-0 lead. Isbell has still yet to record an out. 

Zach Crotchfelt is on to pitch for the Tigers. 

Today was not Isbell's day. He will figure things out and still be an integral part of the Tiger bullpen. 

Crotchfelt gets a strikeout and finally Auburn has an out. 

A pop out to McMurray is the second out of the inning. 

A ground out to Green ends the top of the first. 

Interesting note: Crotchfelt has really good stuff and is going to be an absolute stud for the Tigers this year. I predict him working into the Sunday starting role here soon. 

Let's see if the offense can shift the script from last weekends Sunday game. 

Peirce pops out on the infield for the first out of the inning. 

Foster is down on strikes. He was out ahead of the change up. 

Kirby hits one hard and gets aboard via an error. 

That gives a base runner for Ike Irish. 

IKE IRISH!! A triple scores Kirby then a bad throw allows Irish to score. 

The Tigers have cut the deficit to two runs. 

BRYSON WARE bye bye baseball. Ware hits one long and far and Auburn only trails by one run.

Wow the feel of this game has shifted quickly by a nice little two out rally. 

Howell flies out to center field which will end the first inning. 

Heck of a job by the Tigers there to get something going with two down and cut the lead. 

Starting Lineup

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Auburn Daily Staff Score Predictions

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Lindsay Crosby 7-5 USC

Zac Blackerby 6-2 USC

Andrew Stefaniak Auburn 7-4

Lindsay's note on pitching

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Lindsay's note on pitching:

Expect more arms to get used out of the pen today. For starters, Auburn's already won the series, so you can rest some of the key guys that are your usual go-tos out of the pen. And that rest is warranted - as we saw with John Armstrong running out of gas on Saturday, Auburn's been leaning pretty hard on those known quantities in the back end. Armstrong threw three times since Tuesday night in Madison, covering 3.1 innings plus the associated warmup pitches for all three appearances.

As head coach Butch Thompson discussed on Friday night, the pitchers are still learning the load management system the coaching staff has instituted. "So, we try and tell our guys the red light, yellow light, green light (system) - when you get to the yellow, we have to recognize that a little sooner. If you feel like your delivery's a little off tempo or off timing, because a lot of this is starting an inning, I just don't want our guys to pitch in yellow. We've got to head that off a bit sooner. Maybe two balls in, and not waiting until we lose a batter and get a batter and a half into the ordeal. [...] We're going to have to catch that a little bit earlier."

"Everybody's pushing this tempo with this (pitch) clock and all that, but we do not want our guys pitching in yellow. I think they're doing for a little long (because they're) competing like crazy."

Additionally, the Sunday starter is announced as Chase Isbell, and many fans are asking why not Zach Crotchfelt after his fantastic relief performance last Sunday? (Reminder, the freshman came in against Indiana and went 3.2 innings with three hits, two runs, one walk, and four strikeouts.)

We don't officially have an explanation why he's not the starter, but I think we can piece it together. When announcing the pitching plans for the series on Thursday, Thompson had this comment when asked why he wasn't announcing what seemed like the obvious choice of Crotchfelt for Sunday:

"We're going to set TBA right now, just to make sure everybody's going to class and doing everything they're supposed to be doing as a student athlete."