Auburn falls to Milwaukee in NCAA Regional opener

AUBURN, Ala. (WALA) - Auburn’s NCAA Tournament opener quickly turned into an uphill battle Friday afternoon.

The Tigers fell behind early and never fully recovered as Milwaukee stunned Auburn 13-8 at Plainsman Park, sending the Tigers into the loser’s bracket of the Auburn Regional.

Milwaukee wasted no time jumping on Auburn starter Jake Marciano. The Panthers scored four runs in the first inning and added two more in the second to build a commanding early lead.

Marciano entered the postseason with a 2.64 ERA but lasted just one inning plus three batters. Milwaukee collected six hits against the sophomore left-hander and chased him from the game before Auburn could settle in.

The Panthers continued to pour it on against the Auburn bullpen. A three-run homer by Bradyn Horn highlighted the first-inning outburst, and another three-run blast from Charlie Marion in the fourth inning stretched Milwaukee’s lead to 10-0.

By the time Auburn recorded its first run, the Tigers were already facing a double-digit deficit.

Auburn finally showed signs of life in the bottom of the fourth inning. After back-to-back singles from Chris Rembert and Bub Terrell, freshman Ike Bingaman delivered a spark with a three-run home run to left field, trimming the deficit to 10-3.

The Tigers continued to battle.

Chase Fralick added a solo home run in the fifth inning, 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 inning.

Despite the late offensive push, Auburn never got closer than five runs as Milwaukee continued to answer every Tigers rally.

The Panthers added insurance runs in the seventh and ninth innings and held off Auburn’s final comeback attempt after the Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth.

The victory was a historic one for Milwaukee. The Panthers entered the game with just one NCAA Tournament win in program history and had gone 1-11 against Power Four opponents this season.

For Auburn, the loss means the Tigers now face an elimination game Saturday. Auburn will take on the loser of Friday’s matchup between NC State and UCF with its season on the line.

The Tigers entered the NCAA Tournament with hopes of making a run on their home field but will now have to fight their way through the loser’s bracket to keep those hopes alive.