A Delayed Ninth Inning Drama
Auburn University is hosting an NCAA regional baseball tournament against the University of Milwaukee, a matchup that has drawn national attention as both teams vie for a spot in the College World Series.
The game was halted in the ninth inning due to lightning, forcing a pause that added tension to an already high‑stakes contest.
Milwaukee struck first, plating four runs in the opening frame, and extended its lead with a flurry of hits that put pressure on Auburn’s defense.
Auburn answered with a seventh‑inning homer from Eric Guevara and a three‑run blast by Ethin Bingaman in the fourth, but the Tigers’ pitching staff struggled to contain the opposition’s offense.
Resilience on the Mound
Despite the early onslaught, Auburn’s pitchers displayed grit, navigating a challenging ninth inning while the team’s overall staff, lauded as one of the nation’s best, worked to limit further damage.
Coach Butch Thompson, who has guided the program through a season of high expectations, expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to rally, emphasizing the experience of players like Jett Johnston, who played a pivotal role in the eighth inning.
The performance of standout arms such as LJ Cormier, Marcel Kulik, and Ethan Harden underscored the depth of the rotation, even as the scoreboard reflected a 13‑7 deficit.
With the tournament still open, the Tigers hope to leverage their strong hitting lineup — featuring players like Christian Chatterton, Jonah de Jong, and Cade Belyeu — to mount a comeback and secure a berth in the next round.