Auburn’s first game of the NCAA Tournament turned into a tough challenge early on Friday afternoon.
The Tigers got off to a slow start and never managed to bounce back, as Milwaukee pulled off a 13-8 upset at Plainsman Park, sending Auburn to the loser’s bracket of the Auburn Regional.
Milwaukee didn’t waste any time getting to Auburn starter Jake Marciano. The Panthers scored four runs in the opening inning and tacked on two more in the second, racing out to a big early lead.
Marciano came into the postseason with a 2.64 ERA, but he lasted just one inning and three batters. The sophomore left-hander gave up six hits and was pulled before Auburn could find any rhythm.
The Panthers kept the pressure on against Auburn’s bullpen. Bradyn Horn’s three-run homer highlighted the first-inning rally, and Charlie Marion added another three-run shot in the fourth to push Milwaukee’s lead to 10-0.
By the time Auburn scored its first run, the Tigers were already down by double digits.
Auburn finally showed some fight in the bottom of the fourth. After consecutive singles by Chris Rembert and Bub Terrell, freshman Ike Bingaman provided a jolt with a three-run homer to left, cutting the deficit to 10-3.
The Tigers kept battling.
Chase Fralick hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Eric Guevara launched a two-run homer off the scoreboard in the seventh. Guevara finished with four RBIs, including a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Despite the late rally, Auburn never got within five runs, as Milwaukee answered every push by the Tigers.
The Panthers added insurance runs in the seventh and ninth innings and held off Auburn’s last effort after the Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth.
The win was a milestone for Milwaukee. The Panthers came into the game with only one NCAA Tournament victory in program history and had gone 1-11 against Power Four opponents this season.
For Auburn, the loss sets up an elimination game on Saturday. The Tigers will face the loser of Friday’s game between NC State and UCF, with their season hanging in the balance.
Auburn had hoped to make a postseason run on its home field but will now need to battle through the loser’s bracket to keep those hopes alive.
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