Auburn University’s baseball team lost to Nebraska 9-8 in an extra-inning game Friday night at Plainsman Park. Auburn scored three runs in the bottom of the 10th inning and had both the tying and winning runs on base, but could not complete the comeback.
Nebraska tied the game with three runs in the eighth inning and then added four more in the top of the 10th. Auburn responded by putting five consecutive batters on base with three walks and two singles, narrowing Nebraska’s lead to one run. However, a groundout and a popup ended Auburn’s rally.
This loss marks the first time Auburn has dropped a series opener at home since week 12 of the 2024 season.
Head coach Butch Thompson commented on his team’s performance: “We battled and our spirit was great. That was evident by the 10th inning. Everybody knows that we are going to try and shove the ball in the strike zone, and I want them to continue to do that. We are not going to run from that.”
Auburn’s pitching staff struck out a season-high 18 batters without issuing any walks but allowed 14 hits, including seven for extra bases. Thompson noted: “At the end of the day, I’m trying to look for one more stat that made a difference. They had seven extra base hits and we had one. We are competing in the box a little bit better. We had some hits tonight, and we have a real good competitive spirit. I like every bit of that, but they ended up having a lot more extra base hits at the end of the game and they had some big swings.”
Auburn took an early lead with four runs in the third inning, highlighted by RBI contributions from Ryne Farber, Eric Guevara, and Bub Terrell. Nebraska narrowed Auburn’s lead with two runs in the fourth before Bristol Carter extended it with another RBI single.
Pitcher Jake Marciano reached his 100th career strikeout during this game after finishing five innings with nine strikeouts and no walks allowed over five hits.
Nebraska tied things up again in the eighth inning when Garrett Brewer gave up back-to-back doubles after hitting a batter but managed to finish out the inning without further damage.
In extra innings, Nebraska’s offense produced a decisive three-run home run after scoring earlier in their half of the tenth.
Logan Gregorio and Brandon McCraine each delivered RBI singles for Auburn in their last chance at bat, while Cade Belyeu walked to load the bases. Bristol Carter grounded out for another run before Chase Fralick popped up to second base on his first pitch faced against Nebraska reliever Pryce Bender.
The teams will play again Saturday afternoon at Plainsman Park.
