Observations: Auburn baseball gets a sweet series win vs. Kentucky
Butch Thompson says his team is like a box of chocolates, and the surprises were almost all good in a second straight SEC series victory.
AUBURN — After a series-clinching 11-0 win on Sunday over Kentucky, Auburn head coach Butch Thompson likened his team to a box of chocolates.
And it makes a ton of sense.
Following a 15-4 midweek loss to Jacksonville State that forced a come-to-Jesus meeting immediately after the final out, the Tigers followed that up with a 12-5 win on Friday that saw them post 10 runs in the first three innings and chase Kentucky’s best pitcher, Jaxon Jelkin, after just two innings.
It was one of Auburn’s best offensive performances of the season.
“We have hitters left and right,” first baseman Eddie Madrigal said following Friday’s win. “We have talent up and down our lineup and in our dugout. We have a lot of great pieces, and when everything clicks, we’re hard to beat.”
Saturday’s game featured Jake Marciano, who hadn’t given up more than two earned runs in a game all season, taking the mound. Sure thing, right?
Well, he had his worst outing of the season. Kentucky posted five runs on him in the first two innings and held on for a 5-4 win.
But, even in that game, Thompson’s team showed him something.
“I can’t ask for a more competitive spirit from our guys,” Thompson said following Saturday’s loss. “And they gave us that.”
Sunday’s performance? A Russell Stover Peanut Butter Cream in all facets.
“Amazing,” Thompson said following Auburn’s 11-0 win on Sunday. “When you’re in a game three in a rubber match in this league, just historically, it’s a big deal. There was so much energy put in that ball game last night trying to claw all the way back in a fight on the mound and our at-bats… just all of it.
“You never know how we’re going to come out that third game.”
In its two wins, Auburn passed the 10-run mark both times for the ninth and 10th time this season — and second and third time in conference play. The Tigers also outscored the Wildcats 27-10 during the weekend while handing Kentucky its fourth shutout of the season.
The series win moved Auburn into a four-way tie for fifth place in the SEC standings alongside Arkansas, Ole Miss and Alabama.
With Thompson’s box of chocolates in mind, here are four observations following Auburn’s series win over Kentucky.
Alex Petrovic on Sunday: Hershey’s Cookie ‘n’ Cream
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