In their first-ever meeting at Plainsman Park, No. 13 Auburn showcased their dominance with an 8-4 victory over Air Force on Wednesday afternoon. The Tigers' triumph was fueled by another impressive display of power hitting at the plate and a commanding performance on the mound.
Head coach Butch Thompson emphasized the significance of facing military academies, stating, "Anytime we get to play one of these academies it’s a big deal because they give us the right to go out and play baseball and have these experiences we get to have at Auburn. These are some of our future leaders, and I think we’re in good hands."
Auburn's offensive prowess was on full display as they extended their streak of consecutive games with home runs to 12. Deric Fabian led the charge with a pair of homers, while Cooper Weiss added a crucial two-run shot. Fabian credited his success to consistency in his approach and the unwavering support from his teammates, noting, "Just sticking with my approach and having the guys on the team support me and the coaches put us in good positions."
Fabian's standout performance continued as he notched his first multi-homer game of his career, tallying three RBIs and maintaining an impressive run at the plate. Thompson praised Fabian's contributions, remarking, "He’s having good at-bats, and he’s driven the ball both ways. It’s been huge."
On the mound, Conner McBride delivered another solid outing, earning his second straight win. The junior right-hander showcased excellent command of his pitches, allowing just two runs on seven hits over 5.0 innings while striking out four without issuing a walk. Reflecting on his performance, McBride commented, "My fastball command was good, and I had my changeup and curveball."
Despite an early lead for Air Force courtesy of a solo homer, Auburn quickly responded with five runs in the next two innings to seize control of the contest. Weiss' towering two-run homer and Fabian's subsequent blast highlighted the Tigers' offensive surge, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.
Air Force attempted to mount a comeback, threatening with a bases-loaded situation in the seventh inning. However, Tanner Bauman entered in relief and swiftly extinguished the scoring threat with a crucial out, preserving Auburn's lead.
The Tigers added to their advantage with Ike Irish's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, capping off the scoring for the contest. Parker Carlson and Will Cannon provided solid relief appearances to secure the victory for Auburn.
With the win, Auburn concluded its homestand and now sets its sights on a challenging three-game series against Austin Peay at Plainsman Park this weekend.
The Tigers' consistent performance at the plate and on the mound continues to underscore their status as a formidable contender, with their potent offense and resilient pitching staff poised to carry them forward as they navigate the rigors of the season.
