With exciting ninth-inning play, No. 16 Auburn defeats No. 24 Kentucky in the opener.
March 22, 2025 — On a thrilling Friday night in Auburn, Alabama, the No. 16 Auburn Tigers secured a hard-fought victory over the No. 24 Kentucky Wildcats in the opening game of their SEC series. The game, which was marked by dramatic moments and a wild finish, ended with a 5-4 scoreline, as Auburn’s offense found a way to capitalize on Kentucky’s late mistakes in the ninth inning.
Early Inning Drama
From the very first pitch, it was clear that both teams were ready for battle. The game began under clear skies with both pitchers looking sharp early on. Auburn’s starting pitcher, sophomore right-hander Mason Thompson, took the mound, bringing a 3.10 ERA into the game. Thompson, known for his pinpoint control and his ability to mix speeds effectively, had a rocky start, but he quickly settled into a rhythm.
On the other side, Kentucky’s ace, senior righty Ryan Thompson, came into the game with a 2.50 ERA and was a tough opponent for any lineup. Thompson, whose fastball can reach up to 96 mph, faced a potent Auburn offense that had been hitting the ball well throughout the season.
In the first inning, Kentucky jumped out to an early lead. With two outs, Wildcats’ shortstop Jake Meyer lined a single into right field. That was followed by an opposite-field home run by senior outfielder Kyle Grant, giving Kentucky a 2-0 advantage. The Auburn crowd, usually raucous, fell into a tense silence as the Tigers’ defense and pitching staff faced the early deficit.
Auburn’s offense, however, would not be deterred for long. In the bottom of the second inning, shortstop Caleb Decker drew a walk with one out, and designated hitter Connor Webb followed that with a double to deep left-center. This put two runners in scoring position for Auburn, and first baseman Ethan Blake stepped up to the plate. Blake took a pitch deep into the night, a towering shot to left field that easily cleared the wall. The three-run homer put Auburn in front 3-2, and the stadium erupted in celebration.
The Tigers’ quick response showed their resilience and ability to strike back when it counted. The combination of Decker’s patient approach, Webb’s clutch hitting, and Blake’s power had Auburn on top, but it was clear that both teams were capable of more fireworks.
A Pitching Duel Ensues
From the third inning onward, both pitchers, Mason Thompson for Auburn and Ryan Thompson for Kentucky, found their groove. Thompson for Auburn managed to keep Kentucky at bay with his slider and changeup working effectively against a lineup known for being aggressive early in counts. Ryan Thompson, despite giving up the three-run shot, was still throwing with heat and precision, using his fastball to keep Auburn’s batters off balance.
The third, fourth, and fifth innings were a back-and-forth chess match between the two pitchers. Both teams were able to generate opportunities but were unable to break through. Auburn loaded the bases in the fourth inning but failed to bring in any runs, as Ryan Thompson fanned two Tigers to end the threat.
Kentucky had a similar opportunity in the top of the sixth when they got a runner to third base with one out, but Mason Thompson pitched out of trouble with a key strikeout and a pop-up to first base. The game was developing into a true pitcher’s duel, and it was becoming apparent that every run counted.
Kentucky Ties It Up
The tension built to a boiling point in the seventh inning, when Kentucky finally broke through. After a quick out to start the inning, Auburn’s Mason Thompson faced a familiar foe: Kyle Grant, the man who had already hit a home run earlier in the game. Grant had been quiet since his early bomb but showed why he was one of the best players in the SEC. With one swing of the bat, Grant launched a pitch over the right-field wall, tying the game at 3-3.
The Wildcats weren’t finished yet. Auburn’s defense, which had been solid all night, made an uncharacteristic error shortly after. A routine ground ball to shortstop Caleb Decker skipped off his glove, allowing the batter, first baseman Jake Evans, to reach safely. Evans would later come around to score on a clutch single from outfielder Aaron Henderson, giving Kentucky a 4-3 lead.
Auburn’s dugout, which had been full of energy, fell silent for a brief moment. But the Tigers weren’t about to give up. Their bullpen, led by reliever Luke Palmer, shut down Kentucky in the eighth inning, setting up the dramatic finish that was about to unfold.
A Thrilling Ninth Inning
As the game entered the ninth inning, the atmosphere in Plainsman Park was electric. Auburn, trailing 4-3, knew this was their last chance to secure a victory before the series continued into Saturday. Kentucky, on the other hand, was one out away from taking the opener and putting pressure on Auburn’s lineup.
Auburn’s leadoff hitter, junior outfielder Jacob Larkin, led off the ninth with a walk. Larkin, known for his speed, immediately stole second base, putting the tying run in scoring position. With one out, Auburn’s best hitter, senior outfielder Tyler Frost, came to the plate. Frost, who had been quiet up until this point, worked the count full before ripping a line drive to left-center field. The ball dropped just out of reach of the Kentucky outfielders, allowing Larkin to race home and tie the game at 4-4.
The crowd erupted, and Auburn was now in prime position to win it all. With the game tied and the winning run on second base, the pressure mounted on Kentucky’s bullpen. The next batter, second baseman Will Murphy, worked a long at-bat, fouling off several tough pitches. Finally, with two strikes, Murphy roped a single through the infield, sending Tyler Frost to third base and bringing up the game-winning run just 90 feet away.
The Wildcats’ pitcher, reliever Ben Jackson, was now on the ropes. The pressure was immense. Auburn’s catcher, Jake Walker, who had been solid behind the plate all night, stepped into the batter’s box with the chance to be the hero. Jackson threw a fastball, but Walker was ready. With a sharp swing, he grounded the ball through the left side of the infield, past a diving shortstop. The ball rolled into the outfield, and Tyler Frost came around to score, giving Auburn the 5-4 victory.
The Tigers’ bench emptied onto the field in celebration as Walker was mobbed by his teammates. The Auburn faithful, who had been anxiously waiting for the game’s final outcome, erupted into cheers as the team swarmed their catcher.
Postgame Reactions
After the game, Auburn’s head coach, Doug McPherson, praised his team’s resilience and ability to remain composed in such a tense situation. “This team never backs down,” McPherson said. “We knew that even when we were down, we had the talent and the heart to come back. That ninth inning was a testament to our belief in each other and our never-quit attitude.”
On the other side, Kentucky’s head coach, Mark Sweeney, was visibly disappointed but acknowledged the competitive nature of the game. “We made a few key mistakes that cost us in the end,” Sweeney remarked. “But this is what SEC baseball is all about. We’ll regroup, and we’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Series
The victory was huge for Auburn as they continue to push for a high seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. The Tigers, who have been strong all season but have faced some inconsistent play at times, showed that they are more than capable of hanging with top-tier teams in the conference. With a lineup filled with power hitters and a pitching staff that can go toe-to-toe with the best, Auburn looks like a serious contender.
Kentucky, meanwhile, will need to bounce back quickly if they hope to claim the series win. Despite the loss, the Wildcats showed they have the tools to compete with one of the top teams in the SEC, and they’ll be looking to even the series in Saturday’s game.
As the teams get ready for the second game of the series, both Auburn and Kentucky know that every game in this highly competitive conference matters. The battle for supremacy in the SEC will continue, and the excitement from this thrilling opener is sure to carry over into the rest of the weekend.
In the end, Auburn’s thrilling ninth-inning comeback demonstrated the unpredictable, intense nature of SEC baseball and proved that, when it comes to postseason positioning, no lead is ever safe.