AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn mounted another comeback but Georgia broke open a one-run game by scoring 16 times in the eighth inning to run-rule the Tigers 24-7 Saturday at Plainsman Park, denying Auburn's sweep bid.
"Got down 8-2, I was so excited our guys make it 8-7," Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. "All I can hope is we continue to grow from that, hopefully our pitching staff still sees that and grows out from the top, understanding how important it is.
"We have to keep growing. I wish we could have finished stronger in the ballgame. Thankful to win the series."
Jumping out to a lead for the third straight game, Georgia struck first with three runs in the top of the first on an RBI single and two-run home run by Parks Harber.
The Bulldogs added two more runs in the third on Connor Tate's solo homer and an unearned run.
Trailing 5-0 in the bottom of the third, Justin Kirby got Auburn on the board with a bloop single to right that scored Bryson Ware from second after Ware singled to right with two outs and moved to second when Ike Irish was hit by a pitch.
The Tigers added another run in the fourth when Caden Green singled through the right side of the infield to plate Nate LaRue, who drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Georgia scored three runs in the top of the fifth on a double, a pair of singles, a walk and an error to lead 8-2. Cole Foster made a great play from deep short to end the inning and strand two runners.
The Tigers got two runs back in the bottom of the fifth when Cooper McMurray's pinch-hit double plated Kirby and Bobby Peirce to pull Auburn within four runs at 8-4.
After Howell and Foster led off the sixth with walks, Auburn pulled within one run at 8-7 when Ware hit a towering three-run smash over the Green Monster, the fourth consecutive inning in which the Tigers scored. The home run was Ware's second of the weekend and team-best 11th of the season.
Auburn had the potential tying run on third base in the seventh when McMurray, leading off, was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice and advanced to third on a groundout before a line drive to center ended the threat.
After a scoreless seventh inning, Georgia broke open the game by scoring 16 runs on eight hits in the top of the eighth. Left fielder Mike Bello threw out a Bulldog at the plate but a video review ruled that Irish, making his debut at catcher, obstructed Georgia's baserunner, prolonging the inning. Georgia capitalized on five walks and two hit batters in the inning.
Auburn used seven pitchers who combined for 10 strikeouts and nine walks. Starter Zach Crotchfelt (0-2) worked 2.1 innings, allowing four earned runs and taking the loss. Christian Herberholz, Parker Carlson, Konner Copeland, Trevor Horne, Cameron Keshock and Chase Isbell finished the game.
The Tigers (16-7-1, 2-4) stay home for a midweek matchup against North Alabama (5-15) Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT before a three-game series at No. 2 Florida (20-4, 3-1 SEC) this weekend.
Auburn falls to Georgia in finale, Tigers take series
