Game two recap, highlights from Saturday

Texas A&M put a scare into Auburn in the 9th inning as a Caden Sorrell single with two outs advanced Boston Kellner to 3rd base. However, a ground ball off the bat of Chris Hacopian resulted in a fielder’s choice, and Auburn escapes with a one-run win.

Auburn is now 32-13 overall and 14-9 in SEC play.

Texas A&M in the 9th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

Texas A&M faces the minimum in the 9th, and ends the inning with a double play. Jackson Sanders and the Auburn Tigers need just three more outs to secure another SEC series.

Auburn in the 9th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

Texas A&M adds another run in the 8th on a Bear Harrison double to score Chris Hacopian, cutting Auburn’s lead to one run. Auburn has one more chance to create insurance runs and to decrease Texas A&M’s chances of winning the game.

Texas A&M in the 8th: 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

Auburn goes down in order again. Jackson Sanders is back on the mound, hoping to return the favor to the homestanding Aggies.

Auburn in the 8th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

Jackson Sanders quickly shook off a leadoff walk by striking out two of the final batters he faced in the inning. He left one baserunner stranded and got out of his first inning on just 18 pitches.

Texas A&M in the 7th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

Auburn leaves two runners on in the 7th, but adds zero runs to their total. Now, Jackson Sanders will get the chance to solidify a win for Auburn on the mound.

Marciano’s final line: 6 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K, 97 pitches (55 strikes)

Auburn in the 7th: 0 R, 0 H, 1 E, 2 LOB

Another easy inning for Marciano (Auburn 5, Texas A&M 3 end 6th)

Marciano has adjusted after giving up two runs in the 4th by retiring seven straight batters and, more importantly, keeping the Aggies off the board. He has allowed three runs on four hits through six innings, with five strikeouts and three walks.

Texas A&M in the 6th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

Brandon McCraine singled with one out in the inning off of new Texas A&M pitcher Gavin Lyons, but he was left stranded at 2nd base, and Auburn failed to score for the third-straight inning.

Auburn in the 6th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

Marciano responded with zeros after Texas A&M scored two runs off of him in the 4th inning. He struck out the leadoff batter and retired the next two on a flyout and groundout. Texas A&M will now turn to Gavin Lyons on the mound after Aiden Sims allowed five runs on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts over five innings.

Texas A&M in the 5th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

Nothing doing for Auburn in the 5th, which is the first time all game that Auburn has been retired in order. Auburn looks to cool off the hot Aggies, who have all the momentum as we enter the bottom frame of the inning.

Auburn in the 5th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

Texas A&M caught momentum in the 4th inning. Not only did the patrons get to participate in the traditional “ball five” chant, but they also watched Aggies’ second baseman Travis Chestnut cut into Auburn’s lead with a two-out triple to score two runs. Marciano walked the ensuing batter, but Bub Terrell made a diving catch to end the threat.

Terrell was slow to get up after making the third out, and is fourth in line to hit in the 5th. It will be a situation to monitor as the game continues.

Texas A&M in the 4th: 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

Auburn recorded another multi-base hit when Mason McCraine recorded a double with two outs in the inning. However, he was left stranded at 2nd base as Eric Guevara struck out in the next at-bat.

Auburn has four extra base hits in the game, with McCraine’s double being the only non-home run of the group.

Auburn in the 4th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

Texas A&M feels left out after watching Auburn hit three home runs and decided to do something about it. Caden Sorrell hit his 21st home run of the season to right field to cut Auburn’s lead to four runs as we head to the 4th inning. Marciano is still in great shape, allowing just one run on two hits with two strikeouts through three innings.

Texas A&M in the 3rd: 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

Chase Fralick is enjoying his day at Blue Bell Park. He crushed a home run to left field in the 3rd inning to push Auburn ahead, 3-0. It was his second of the game and the third of the day. Two at-bats later, Bub Terrell added to the total with a two-run blast off the left field scoreboard to extend the lead to 5-0.

Auburn has now hit six home runs on the day, and is in a comfortable lead heading to the bottom of the 3rd inning.

Auburn in the 3rd: 3 R, 2 H, 1 E, 0 LOB

Marciano led off the inning by striking out Jake Duer, his first of the game, and retired two of the next four batters with a groundout and a strikeout, with the only baserunners reaching on a full-count walk and an infield single into the shift with two outs in the inning.

Marciano through two innings: 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 32 pitches (20 strikes)

Texas A&M in the 2nd: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

Auburn’s lead is now 2-0 thanks to a Bristol Carter infield single that allowed Bub Terrell to score from 3rd base. Another key note from the frame is that Texas A&M starting pitcher Aiden Sims, who is considered the Aggies’ weekend ace, is up to 41 pitches through two innings. Auburn’s bats have made him work early on, which could become a factor in later innings.

Auburn in the 2nd: 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

Auburn starting pitcher Jake Marciano used 11 pitches to get out of the 1st inning and to preserve Auburn’s lead through one inning. The Tigers’ defense backed up Marciano by recording a pair of pop-outs and a groundout in the frame.

Texas A&M in the 1st: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

Auburn catcher Chase Fralick was one of three batters to hit a home run in Auburn’s 18-5 game one victory over Texas A&M on Saturday, and followed suit in the 1st inning of game two by crushing one into the Aggies’ bullpen in right field. The Tigers have early momentum and will look to Jake Marciano to preserve it.

Auburn in the 1st: 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

Auburn baseball’s lineup for game two

From the desk of Auburn head coach Butch Thompson, here is how Auburn will lineup for game two against the Texas A&M Aggies at Blue Bell Park in College Station:

RF Mason McCraine3B Eric GuevaraC Chase Fralick2B Chris Rembert1B Ethin BingamanLF Bub TerrellSS Brandon McCraineDH Eddie MadrigalCF Bristol Carter

Auburn will use the same lineup in game two that it used in game one, a lineup that recorded 19 hits and three home runs in the first game of the doubleheader. The notable piece of news from this lineup is the return of Mason McCraine. McCraine was hit by a pitch in game one and was replaced by Cade Belyeu. Belyeu went 3-for-3 in McCraine’s place.

Game two start timeDate: Saturday, May 2Start time: 5 p.m. CTGame two pitching matchupAuburn: SO LHP Jake Marciano (3-3, 2.04)Texas A&M: SO RHP Aiden Sims (8-0, 3.45)Game one statsMason McCraine (0-for-0)Cade Belyeu (3-for-3, 2 RBI)Eric Guevara (1-for-5, 2 RBI)Chase Fralick (2-for-5, 3 RBI, HR)Chris Rembert (2-for-5, 2 K)Ethin Bingaman (3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2B, HR)Bub Terrell (1-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K)Brandon McCraine (3-for-5, 4 RBI, HR)Eddie Madrigal (3-for-4, 2 RBI)Bristol Carter (1-for-4, RBI, 2B)