The aftermath: Auburn advances to sixth College World Series with win over Oregon State
For the second time in four seasons, Auburn baseball is headed to the College World Series.
The 14-seed Tigers manufactured their way to a 4-3 victory over 3-seed Oregon State on Monday night in the winner-take-all Super Regional finale in Corvallis, Oregon. It was Auburn’s 42nd win of the season, and fifth win in six postseason games through Regional and Super Regional play.
Auburn only mustered three hits, but they made the most of their opportunities.
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Sonny DiChiara hit a two-run home run in the third inning – his second hit of the Super Regional, both home runs. Bobby Peirce doubled in the sixth inning, moving DiChiara to third. Brooks Carlson followed by driving in DiChiara, and advancing Peirce to third.
In the same inning, Brody Moore executed a safety squeeze bunt down the first-base line, scoring Peirce from third. That was all the scoring for Auburn.
Oregon State’s Jaren Hunter kept the Auburn offense off balance all game. Hunter threw 5 innings, allowing one hit and two earned runs. Reid Sebby and Reid Brown threw the final four innings, allowing two hits and two earned runs.
Meanwhile, Auburn’s Mason Barnett threw 4.1 competitive innings, allowing one run on five hits, while striking out five. Carson Skipper came in from the bullpen with two men on base in the fifth and promptly struck out two straight to end the inning.
Oregon State finally got to Skipper in the seventh inning, as lead-off man Justin Boyd hit a two-run home run to cut Auburn’s lead to one. Boyd had three hits on the night. Tigers’ closer Blake Burkhalter entered the game with one out in the seventh and struck out back-to-back batters to end the inning.
Critical pitching in critical moments
Auburn won this baseball game because of critical pitching in absolute critical moments.
With runners on base, Oregon State was 3-for-15 in the game. With runners in scoring position, Oregon State was 0-for-10. Time and time again, when Oregon State threatened, the Auburn pitchers came up with big strikeouts. Barnett, Skipper and Burkhalter all recorded important strikeouts with men on base.
Oregon State was 3-for-8 in leadoff hitting, but only managed five total hits after those three over nine combined innings. Even with four walks, Auburn pitching held Oregon State in check and limited damage all night.
The Auburn pitching staff finished with 14 strikeouts. Five for Barnett, four for Skipper and five for Burkhalter. It was the difference in the game.
Burkhalter threw 2.2 innings of hitless baseball to close things out.
Inside the box score: Auburn 4, Oregon State 3
What’s next for Auburn?
The Tigers will advance to their sixth all-time College World Series. They will face Ole Miss in the opening round of the national championship tournament in Omaha. Auburn’s overall record at the College World Series is 3-10. Ole Miss took two of three against Auburn at Plainsman Park early in the SEC schedule.
