Auburn pitching dominates in 5-3 win over Tennessee in SEC Tournament

Butch Thompson would be the first to admit there wasn’t much of a pitching plan for Auburn in the SEC Tournament. All he knew on Tuesday was that he planned to get Bailey Horn in the game.

And that, in and of itself, spoke to the precarious pitching situation that Auburn found — and continues to find itself in. Horn had an ERA nearing nine entering the game.

But it was that pitching, from Horn, from others, that carried Auburn to a 5-3 win on Tuesday to open up the SEC Tournament with a win.

AU was scheduled to face Vanderbilt on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Unlike Tuesday, this marks the start of the double-elimination phase of the tournament. The Tigers are guaranteed at least one game on Wednesday and Thursday.

Again, for that game, Thompson doesn’t know what he’ll do with the pitching against the nation’s top offense. On Tuesday, though it was an effort of four pitchers that each did their job.

“I do sense the feel of character in our program,” Thompson said. “… We’re fighting though things. … This ball club has been through more.”

Elliott Anderson started and pitched into the fifth. He allowed a run in the first and fifth, but was lights out in between. Once he had two wild pitches to put a runner at third with no outs, Thompson went to the bullpen.

Wil Morrison recorded an out without allowing the run to score. So did Horn, who would eventually go four much-needed innings, only allowing one run in the ninth inning.

“That’s definitely what I’ve been striving for throughout this year,” Horn said. “Obviously coming back from [Tommy John] surgery, it’s just part of the process coming back. … But overall, that’s what I’ve been striving for throughout the season.”

Then Cody Greenhill came in, with one out in the ninth. He hit a batter, and nearly allowed a home run, but did get Jay Charleston to strikeout to seal the win.

Auburn entered the start of the SEC Tournament facing a precarious pitching situation — a lack of reliable, rested and healthy arms. But those arms that were available did the job necessary.

Judd Ward was the hero on offense. His squeeze bunt in the fifth inning put the Tigers on top, and his two-run homer in the seventh inning broke the game open. As he rounded first base, he stopped to jump and look over at the Auburn dugout.

“I’ve been watching this tournament since I was born, I love this tournament,” said Ward, who is from near Hoover. “Coming out here and competing and being a part of it, was the best feeling in the world.”

Even Edouard Julien got in on the action. Once Auburn’s No. 3 hitter, he was pinch-hit for in a game against LSU over the weekend. Now back in the lineup, he had a bloop two-RBI double to get the Tigers on the board in the second inning.

Getting this win involved getting performances from players that don’t necessarily come through, or at least haven’t in a while.

The win is significant for Auburn, which is trying to not only win games in the SEC Tournament, but also improve their NCAA Tournament resume. The win tonight absolutely locks up Auburn’s bid, but now it’s about securing a No. 2 seed. A win against Vanderbilt on Wednesday would certainly do that.

Wade RackleyWade Rackley

Wade Rackley