6 hours ago
Isaiah Houde | SEC Network
HOOVER, Alabama — Three-plus-run trio proves enough as 5-seeded Auburn knocks out 12-seeded Missouri 10-4 in SEC Baseball Tournament first-round game at Hoover Met .
Auburn’s 10 points are the most in an SEC tournament since 1998 and it’s tied for the most Missouri has allowed in an SEC tournament game. Auburn also recorded its ninth straight win against an SEC opponent, the most against SEC competition since April 1995.
Cole Foster and Bryson Ware were the stars of the game offensively as they both homered and had three RBIs.
The nightcap started quietly after a no-hitter and scoreless first inning by both teams. Hank Zeisler, who was on his feet to start the second inning, was sent home on a sacrifice fly by Jackson Lovich to get the first score on the board.
Electricity entered the field in the bottom of the third when Auburn charged the bases with zero outs. Nate LaRue started by getting on base and Chris Stanfield kept the energy going with a double to right field. Missouri’s Javyn Pimental hit Foster with a pitch and the crowd erupted. Pimental followed that up with another walk to produce Auburn’s first run of the day. Auburn finished the inning with three runs and ignited Missouri.
Mizzou entered the lead in the fourth, ready to regain momentum. Trevor Austin got to second base after a field error, then scored on a field error – it was a sloppy inning from the Auburn defense. The bases were loaded with two outs and Tre Morris scored after Cam Chick, who nearly hit a grand slam, was walked. After throwing five strikeouts, Tommy Vail was replaced by Chase Isbell – who walked a batter and left one more score.
Missouri entered the bottom of the fourth with a 4-3 lead after a long stretch of action from both teams. Missouri also made a pitching switch for Brock Lucas after Pimental got off to a good start.
Lucas wasn’t enough to slow down the energy in Alabama. Auburn quickly got two batters on base in the bottom of the fourth and Stanfield sent one of them home with a single. Foster came to the ensuing bat and smashed a 416-foot homer into right field — giving Auburn a 7-4 lead and pulling Lucas off the mound for Rorik Maltrud.
Foster’s dinger was his fifth in the last seven games after hitting just seven in his first 44 games.
The fifth, sixth and seventh innings were eventful for hits, but both teams failed to follow the previous streak.
Foster started the top of the eighth with a single and Peirce drilled a double down the center that scored it. McMurray followed that up with a double to left field, but a controversial moment came when Peirce was sent off at home. The game was reviewed and Peirce was called up. The crowd roared in the ensuing play as Ware drilled a two-point shot to extend Auburn’s lead.
HOW DID IT HAPPEN
T2 | Zeisler was walked to start the inning. Dalton Bargo soared and Zeisler placed third. Lovich flew on the ensuing play and Zeisler scored. Mo. 1, Auburn, 0.
B3 | LaRue picked center left to start. Stanfield hit a double to right field. Foster was then hit by the pitch. Bobby Peirce was then walked around – passing Foster to second, Stanfield to third and scoring LaRue. Cooper McMurray retired and Stanfield scored. Missouri 1, Auburn 3.
T4 | Trevor Austin singled and then advanced to second on a fielding error. Zeisler failed and Zeisler placed third. Morris reached on a field error and Austin scored. Bargo chose center field and Morris moved up to second. Garcia walked, Bargo passed second and Morris passed third. Chick was walked – Garcia advanced to second, Bargo to third and Morris scored. Chick went second on a wild pitch, Garcia went third and Bargo scored. Missouri 4, Auburn 4.
B4 | Kason Howell was hit by a pitch. Caden Green has reached the pick of a defender. LaRue was walked and Green passed second. Stanfield scored through the right side, LaRue advanced to third, and Green scored. Foster hit to right field as Stanfield and LaRue scored. Missouri 4, Auburn 7.
B8 | Foster picked to right field. Peirce doubled to center field and Foster scored. McMurray doubled to left field and Peirce advanced to third, but was ejected at home. Ware hit to left center for a two-point shot. Missouri 4, Auburn 10.
FOLLOWING
Auburn (33-19) advanced to the second round in a matchup against 4-seeded Vanderbilt. The first pitch is scheduled to start 30 minutes after the end of the 5:30 p.m. game between Alabama and Florida in a contest that will be televised on SEC Network.
Missouri (30-23) will await the announcement of the 2023 NCAA Division I baseball tournament.