Tigers advance to College World Series after win against Oregon State

Auburn defeated Oregon State 4-3 on Monday to advance to the College World Series.

On Monday, the No. 14 Auburn Tigers took on the No. 3 Oregon State Beavers. Auburn took game one of the super regionals but the Beavers bounced back to win in game two. Therefore, on Monday night, the two teams were in a “win-or-go-home” game to determine which team advanced to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Tigers sent out starting pitcher Mason Barnett while the Beavers would throw the right-handed starting pitcher Jaren Hunter. The two pitchers would be tasked with keeping the opposing team in check. Both the Tigers and the Beavers had consistency at the plate throughout the season. Ultimately, it would come down to timely hits and who would take advantage of the other team’s mistakes.

Neither of the two teams added a run until the third inning. The Tigers would score the first runs of the game as first baseman Sonny DiChiara delivered a two-run home run into left-center field. After hitting a home run in game one of the super regionals, the Samford transfer put the Tigers on top 2-0 after two and a half innings of play.

Then, the Beavers would answer in the bottom half of the third inning. Leadoff-hitter Justin Boyd led the inning off with a triple into left field. Soon after, left-fielder Wade Meckler would cut the lead to 2-1 after a groundout brought Boyd in to score.

The bats for both teams went quiet for the next two innings as neither team scored. However, the Tigers would pull through in a timely manner in the top of the sixth inning. After a DiChiara walk and a double from right-fielder Bobby Peirce, the Tigers were determined to score. The designated hitter Brooks Carlson hit a ball to second base that was mishandled allowing DiChiara to score. Both Carlson and Peirce were also safe on the play.

The damage wasn’t done just yet. Shortstop Brody Moore would attempt a squeeze bunt to score Peirce. However, Peirce scored and Moore reached safely. The Tigers led 4-1 after five and a half innings of play in Corvallis.

The Beavers had a bit of hope in the seventh inning as Boyd delivered with a two-run home run. That cut the Tigers’ lead to  4-3. The Beavers now felt that it was their time to seize the moment. That quickly changed as closer Blake Burkhalter was called upon early. He delivered not only in the seventh inning but also for the next two innings as well. The Tigers would go on to win game three of the Super Regionals by a score of 4-3 and advanced to the College World Series.

This comes as the Tigers’ sixth appearance in Omaha as well as the program’s second appearance in the past four years. The run that Butch Thompson’s squad had this season is impressive, to say the least. After being predicted by many to finish at the bottom of the SEC, the Tigers were eager to prove critics wrong. That is exactly what they did this season and now they are on their way to Omaha.

The Tigers are one of four SEC teams to make it to the College World Series. The other teams representing the SEC are Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. The other teams that made it this far are Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma, and Stanford. The Tigers are set to face Ole Miss in round one of the College World Series. They are familiar with the Rebels after having lost the series earlier in the season. The Tigers hope that things will be different this time around. First pitch is scheduled for 6 CT and will be aired on ESPN2 on June 18.