Tigers benefit from Ga. Southern walks

AUBURN Ala. — Georgia Southern out-hit Auburn 11-9, but the Tigers got the Eagles to walk a season-high 12 batters, the last coming around for the winning run, as the Auburn won 8-6 Tuesday night.

Tied 6-6 in the eighth, the Tigers (29-24) got a leadoff walk. With two outs, Brian Fletcher stroked an RBI single, then Casey McElroy doubled in an insurance run.

The Eagles (35-15) put the tying runs on base with one out in the ninth, but Auburn closer Austin Hubbard struck out the final two batters for his 12th save. Sean Ray (1-0) pitched 3 1-3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. He struck out four and scattered three hits.

McElroy led Auburn hitters, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs.

Auburn finishes the regular season at home against arch-rival Alabama. Game times are 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. Thursday’s game will air live on CSS; the Saturday contest will be shown as the SEC Game of the Week on FSN.