The Smoky Mountain rain has altered the crucial weekend series between No. 11 Auburn and No. 6 Tennessee.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms have plagued the SEC this weekend, including No. 11 Auburn’s series at No. 6 Tennessee in Knoxville.
Friday’s series opener began several hours later than the 5:30 p.m. CT original start time, and was shelved following the top of the 1st inning. Ike Irish pushed Auburn ahead with a two-run home run in the opening frame before heavy rain forced the game to be resumed on Saturday morning. Irish and game one starter Samuel Dutton paced the Tigers in game one, while game two kept fans of both teams on the edge of their seats. However, the doubleheader could not be completed before more heavy rain entered the Knoxville area.
Here is a rundown of how each game of Saturday’s action between Auburn and Tennessee played out in Knoxville.
Game one: Auburn 6 Tennessee 1
Auburn continued building momentum gained on Friday night by riding out a 6-1 win to open the series. Irish followed his two-run Friday night home run by extending the Tigers’ lead to 3-0 in the 3rd inning with an RBI single to score Cade Belyeu. Cooper McMurray pushed Auburn’s lead to 4-0 in the 6th with a solo home run, while Chris Rembert hit one of his own in the 8th. Eric Snow scored on a wild pitch in the 9th to cap scoring.
Samuel Dutton struck out eight batters in 6 2/3 innings of work in his start, allowing one run on four hits. Ryan Hetzler slammed the door by shutting down the Volunteers over the final 2 1/3 innings, where he allowed just two hits and struck out two batters.
Game two: Auburn 4 Tennessee 4 (to conclude on Sunday)
Saturday’s second game will resume on Sunday in the top of the 10th inning
Like in game one, Auburn took control of game two by scoring two quick runs on a pair of RBI singles by Irish and Lucas Steele in the 1st inning. Tennessee’s Hunter Ensley tied the game with a two-RBI single in the 3rd inning, from there, the Tigers and Volunteers traded runs. Chase Fralick pushed Auburn ahead, 4-3, in the top of the 9th inning, but a solo home run by Tennessee’s Dalton Bargo tied the game in the bottom frame to force extra innings.
Auburn pitching was strong in game two as Cam Tilly, Carson Myers, John Armstrong, and Parker Carlson combined to strike out 14 batters. Myers allowed seven hits in 3 1/3 innings, but allowed just one run while striking out six batters in relief. Tilly allowed two runs on four hits in his start, which lasted 2 2/3 innings.
How to watch Sunday’s action between No. 11 Auburn and No. 6 Tennessee
- Date: Sunday, May 4
- Time: noon CT
- Streaming: SEC Network+
- Radio: Auburn Sports Network
- Pitching matchup: AUB TBA vs. TEN RHP AJ Russell (0-0, 2.45)
Watch No. 11 Auburn vs. No. 6 Tennessee on SEC Network+
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