Mound Gem by McMillan Powers Alabama Past Auburn 4-2, Evens Series
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After what was an abysmal Friday night for Alabama baseball, a mound gem by starting pitcher Garrett McMillan helped hold Auburn at bay in Game 2, giving the Crimson Tide a 4-2 win and evening the series at one game apiece.
The win for Alabama and the loss for Auburn ties the two programs at 5-9 in conference play — good enough for fourth in the SEC West as the two teams continue their quests to reach the SEC Tournament.
"Really proud of our team," Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon said. "Big win for us on so many levels. You know really, we got to the point [where] we just needed some guys to step up and that's exactly what Garrett McMillan and Alton Davis did tonight."
After a quiet first inning for both teams, Alabama jumped onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. A bases-loaded walk of Crimson Tide center fielder Andrew Pinckney was the reason behind the first run, followed by a two-RBI double by catcher Mac Guscette to give Alabama a 3-0 lead heading into the third.
In the bottom of the fourth, Alabama increased its lead courtesy of another bases-loaded walk, this time of second baseman Ed Johnson.
On Friday night, it was announced that McMillan would be starting on Saturday, replacing original starter Grayson Hitt. While Hitt was never officially announced to be injured, Bohannon announced that he will miss time.
Despite being forced into the starting spot on such short-notice, McMillan dealt a solid game. Over the game’s first five innings, McMillan didn’t give up a single hit to the Tigers. After surrendering his first hit in the top of the sixth, he was pulled — a final line depicting one hit, no runs, no walks and four strikeouts through 5.0 innings pitched.
In the top of the seventh, Auburn acquired its first and only run of the night: a powerful solo home run hit up and over the scoreboard in left by Tigers left fielder Bobby Peirce. Auburn's comeback attempt in the top of the ninth added a run for the Tigers, but the final scoreboard read 4-2 in favor of Alabama.
"We haven't been great in tight games," Bohannon said. "We really needed to win and it was a good team win and now we got to go get a series tomorrow."
McMillan earned the win for Alabama, improving to 1-1 on the season. Impressively, his ERA dropped from 11.57 pre-game all the way down to 3.68 on the season. Alton Davis II picked up the save — his second of the season — after closing the game out in the ninth and securing the win for the Crimson Tide.
Auburn starting pitcher Drew Nelson (2-3) was saddled with the loss for the Tigers.
With the win, Alabama improves to 25-11 and is 5-9 in SEC play. Auburn falls to 20-14-1 on the season and is now tied with the Crimson Tide in the SEC West with the same 5-9 conference record. The rivals will face each other one final time to settle the series on Sunday (1 p.m. CT, SEC Network+).
How It Happened:
Alabama Starting Lineup
1. Jim Jarvis (SS)
2. Tommy Seidl (RF)
3. Drew Williamson (1B)
4. Ed Johnson (2B)
5. Dominic Tamez (DH)
6. William Hamiter (LF)
7. Andrew Pinckney (CF)
8. Mac Guscette (C)
9. Bryce Eblin (3B)
Starting Pitcher: Garrett McMillan (0-1, RHP)
Auburn Starting Lineup
1. Cole Foster (SS)
2. Bobby Peirce (LF)
3. Ike Irish (DH)
4. Bryson Ware (3B)
5. Cooper McMurray (1B)
6. Justin Kirby (RF)
7. Kason Howell (CF)
8. Nate LaRue (C)
9. Caden Green (2B)
Starting Pitcher: Drew Nelson (2-2, LHP)
See Also:
Late Rally Not Enough for Alabama Baseball, Auburn Prevails 8-4
Disco Inferno: Alabama Baseball's Groovy New Celebration
Brad Bohannon's Message to Alabama Baseball: 'You Just Gotta Take It'
